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BHS Building Committee

Bartlett High School Building Project Update

The Bartlett High School Building Committee was formed on September 17, 2019.   

Building Committee Members are:
         David Hurton, Chairperson & Community Member  - Voting Member
         Ted Avlas, Vice Chair & Community Member  - Voting Member
         Lisa Kontoes - Business Manager
         Sheila Blythe, School Committee Representative - Voting Member
         Monique Pierangeli, Superintendent of Schools & MCPPO
         Richard LaFond, Town Administrator
         Tim Bell, Town Accountant - Voting Member
         Allan Young, Head Custodian & Community Member - Voting Member
         Ryan Collins, Principal
         Gina Nieves, Assistant Principal & Parent - Voting Member
         Tony Paranto, Community Member - Voting Member
         Victor Waskiewicz - Voting Member
                
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has approved for the Town of Webster to enter into a Feasibility Study at the cost of $1,000,000 to be reimbursed at a rate of 76.84% to the Town of Webster tax payers.  This study will identify problems, craft solutions, develop drawings and outline cost estimates and a construction schedule.  The feasibility study was approved by the Town of Webster Voters at the Special Town Meeting on January 13, 2020.
 
Once the Feasibility study is complete the School Building Committee will come back to the town with recommended options for repair and or renovation.
 

PRELIMINARY DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE:  APRIL 16, 2021 

In the Preliminary Design Development phase we met many times with the MSBA, OPM, Architects, Educational Visioning Consultant, and the School Building Committee. All the work and meetings resulted in a final Preliminary Design Plan that was submitted to MSBA on April 16th.   We are currently waiting for their feedback from MSBA to proceed with the next phase, the start of the Preferred Schematic Report. It is very important that we gather feedback from all constituents in this phase as the final Preferred Schematic Report is due to the MSBA in early July. Once MSBA approves the Preferred Schematic Report, the district is locked into the option. I encourage everyone to take part in the community forums to learn more about the options and to learn more about how the Educational Visioning plan for the future impacts the learning spaces at Bartlett High School. 
 

SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE:  AUGUST 25, 2021

On Wednesday, August 25, 2021 the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruthann Goguen along with Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Monique Pierangeli, OPM Ken Guyette and Architect Kent Kovacs attended the MSBA Board meeting for approval to move forward with the Schematic Design Phase.  We are excited to announce the MSBA did approve the project to move forward.  The Building Committee will continue to work with the Project team to further define the project which will need future approval from the Webster Residents in the Spring of 2022.

PLEASE READ BELOW TO BE INFORMED ABOUT THE NEXT PHASE:  DECEMBER 28, 2021

On December 28th, 2021, the Building Committee submitted the Schematic Design to MSBA for their review, feedback and approval.  The MSBA is set to approve the option and project that was selected by the Building Committee on March 2, 2022 to move into the next phase.  In order to proceed, the Building Committee will need community approval of a funding source.  A team will be holding community forum sessions to answer the public's questions.  The committee will also explain the project to the Selectboard, Finance Committee and be available at the Senior Center to answer any questions.  For a list of events please click here!  We hope to see you at one of the events. For a copy of the presentation you can find that by clicking here!
 

FUNDING THE PROJECT:    MARCH 15, 2022

On March 2, 2022 the MSBA voted to approve the Bartlett High School Project for a major renovation project.  The Board approved an estimated maximum total facilities grant in the amount of $51,577,377.  This amount does not include any funds for potentially eligible owners or construction contingency expenditures.  In the event that the MSBA determines that any of these costs are eligible for reimbursement, the grant may increase to as much as $53,453,799.  The final grant amount will be determined by the MSBA after a full audit of all project costs. 
 

What does this mean for Webster? 

The School Building Committee will be seeking approval from community members at its May 2, 2022 election to support the ballot which will allow the Town of Webster to be exempt from the proposition two-and-one-half which would be required to pay for the bonds to cover the project.  Then on May 9, 2022, at Town meeting, the Committee will be seeking the approval to borrow the funds needed to complete the project.  The article being put forward is required to include the entire amount of the project totalling $101,417,044 although we know the MSBA will be reimbursing the community and estimated $51,577,377,so the town will not be borrowing the full amount. Only the remaining amount of project costs, which is estimated to be $49,839,707, will need to be funded by the community.   
 
It is important to note that it took Webster 6 (six) attempts to be accepted into the MSBA program.  If the District does not get the approval to fund the project, the implications are that the district will be required to pay 100% of the full cost of repairs and upgrades, estimated at approximately $66,000,000, which in the end would cost the community more money.   
 

For every $100,000, the annual tax increase is $164.90 annually.   The median home in Webster is assessed at $262,200, which is an increase of $432.63 annually or a daily cost of $1.19. 

 
The project was defeated at the May town meeting.   The Building Committee along with the School Committee and Selectmen decided to hold another special town meeting in June, 2022  for another opportunity to explain to voters what the impact would be on the community if this project fails.  The vote passed overwhelmingly and the project will proceed forward.  
 

Design Development Phase

The building project is currently in the Design Development Phase.   The OPM and Architect have been busy meeting with stakeholders within the school to refine the plans in order to submit a more detailed scope and project plan to the MSBA.   Within the Design Development Phase there will be 3 cost estimates done and submitted to the MSBA to keep the committee informed of any cost issues associated with the scope of the project.  

 

Building Committee Meeting Playlist