District readies MSBA statement of interest as $81.4M capital list centers on high school

School and municipal committee members reviewed a long‑range capital improvement plan that lists about $81.37 million in needs across district facilities, with the majority of that total attributable to the high‑school facility.

Administrators called out immediate safety and compliance items—such as asbestos abatement—already incorporated in near‑term capital assessments, and urged formation of a smaller working group composed of representatives from the school committee, selectmen, finance and capital planning committees to walk buildings, validate priorities and develop community messaging.

The school committee intends to vote on March 10 whether to submit a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to pursue a feasibility study focused primarily on high‑school needs. If the MSBA accepts the Statement of Interest and the district proceeds, a feasibility study would examine options including renovation, replacement or consolidation; members noted the MSBA’s feasibility process typically returns a wide cost range and requires community engagement.

Committee discussion emphasized the tradeoffs inherent in large capital projects, the risk that a high‑cost feasibility outcome may be politically difficult to fund at town meetings, and the possibility that redevelopment or disposition of district‑owned properties could offset net town costs if certain buildings were declared surplus. The group did not take a vote at the meeting but agreed to create a working group to refine priorities and prepare materials for the March budget process.