Blackstone‑Millville votes to enter MSBA feasibility study, authorizes superintendent to sign

The Blackstone‑Millville Regional School District school committee voted unanimously April 11 to enter into a feasibility study agreement with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and authorized Superintendent Jason DeFalco to sign the agreement on the district’s behalf.

Administration walked the committee through packet materials that estimated the feasibility‑study cost at about $1,000,000 and noted an MSBA reimbursement rate of roughly 59.21%, which the superintendent said would equate to approximately $592,000 if the project moves forward and the study is rolled into a funded project. The district also plans to use a $500,000 capital stabilization fund first; any amount above that may require short‑term borrowing and would be assessed to the member towns according to the regional agreement.

The packet included a feasibility‑study budget (owner’s project manager, designer, environmental/site testing) with placeholder estimates: an OPM estimate near $250,000, a designer estimate near $650,000 and site testing up to $100,000, though the superintendent stressed those figures could change once an OPM is selected. He said an MSBA board vote on April 24 will consider admitting the district into feasibility and that an MSBA training on OPM selection is scheduled the same day.

Committee members asked about enrollment certification (MSBA funds space at 175 square feet per student) and were told enrollment certification was vetted with MSBA and is critical to planning. The committee approved entering feasibility and authorized the superintendent to sign the agreement, with paperwork to be submitted to MSBA ahead of its April 24 board meeting.

Next steps: if MSBA accepts the district into feasibility, the district will select an OPM, finalize the feasibility budget and proceed with the study under MSBA rules.