Masters Academy reports 215 students, construction ahead of schedule; town officials say safety planning under way

Peter Masters, representing Masters Academy International, updated the Select Board on June 23, reporting that the school had 215 students signed and that construction was running ahead of schedule.

"We hit 215 students yesterday committed, signed," Masters said, adding the campus has hired coaches, teachers and support staff and has invested north of $40 million in construction. He said turf fields should be completed by July 19 and the school is targeting a ribbon cutting and student move‑in in mid‑September.

Masters described campus operations plans for boarding and day students (roughly 75% boarding, 25% day) and said the school will limit daily traffic by running a 20‑mile radius bus route for local day students. He said the academy is hiring security staff, intends to build a gatehouse, and will work with local public‑safety agencies on camera access and emergency planning.

Town officials on the call said building‑department inspections and regular fire and police coordination are in place. The police chief and fire chief said they were satisfied with safety plans and praised the construction site's safety record; both noted they had met with the academy on traffic flow and emergency access.

Masters said the academy is actively recruiting (he reported 90 employees hired and many candidates) and noted media interest, including a potential segment from 60 Minutes. Select Board members asked for continued coordination and invited campus tours for board members prior to the September opening.