On Dec. 8, Lexington residents headed to the polls and voted in favor of increasing taxes to fund the construction of a new Lexington High School building. Preliminary results show 5,283 “yes” votes against 3,276 “no” votes.

The Debt Exclusion Vote marks a major step toward beginning construction, though it did not come without controversy. In the months leading up to the vote, residents, school leaders, and builders debated various aspects of the proposal.

Monday’s ballot asked whether the town should override Proposition 2½, a Massachusetts law that places strict limits on the amount of property tax revenue a community can raise each year.

With the vote passed, the town can now raise the estimated $532 million required to issue bonds for the design and construction of the new LHS. Residents can expect tax increases beginning in 2027.

The turn out for the vote was another surprise: 37% of Lexington residents hit the polls on Monday. In comparison, only 27% residents voted in town elections earlier this year.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with the new building scheduled to open in fall 2029.