Why Build Now?
►
A
state-supported high school project would provide the Town with
a minimum of $.40 for every $.60 we invest in construction
►
The State has money for
school building
projects now, but future funding is not certain
►
Construction costs are lower than
they have been in years
We Have The Choice:
Build with State Reimbursement
or Fix the High School on Our Own
Wayland has to work with
the state and follow the MSBA guidelines exactly if we want
40 % state reimbursement. Remember that last time the
HSBC came to the voters at Annual Town Meeting with a
proposed high school project, the State had a moratorium on
school building funds. Things have changed: with the
establishment of the MSBA the State has re-established a
fund for school building projects.
The message has been clear:
We are on track for state funding, and we will only build if
we can get 40% project reimbursement.
This February Wayland passed
the next step toward eligibility for state reimbursement:
the MSBA approved the enrollment number for a future high
school with 900 students.
The next step: Approve
funds for the design phase of the project
Details:
To be provided as available
►
Get the latest from the
High School
Building Committee (HSBC) Website
Project Background
&
Timeline
The State Division of Occupational Safety, New
England Association of Schools and Colleges and
over 70 town residents who have studied the
issue on various committees, along with
countless teachers, administrators, members of
the community and students,
agree the High School is in bad shape and in
need of a significant renovation or replacement.
The Mass School Building Authority (MSBA) lifted
its moratorium on state funding of school
construction last fall. They chose Wayland High
School as one of the first 49 to proceed with
the Feasibility Study phase of their new
process. This represents an invitation to
work with the MSBA to explore potential
solutions to our identified problems. It
does not yet guarantee approval of a project or
funding.
Since the first meeting between the MSBA and
Wayland in February, the MSBA has given the town
the green light to begin the process of
selecting an Owner's Project Manager, one of the
first steps in moving forward with the
feasibility study.
The MSBA is in the process of establishing a new
format for vetting and funding state sponsored
school building projects. The guidelines
clearly indicate that the state will work with
the town to determine the single best option for
a school building before it is put to a vote by
the town.
The state will work with its own outside
consultants to determine projected enrollment
and based on the enrollment, will determine
reimbursable square footage. Reimbursement will
be for approximately 40% of approved costs and
will be paid to the town as the funds are spent.
There are no guarantees for timing by the state.
As of yet no town has progressed through the
state's new process from start to finish.
►
Click here for more
information on the MSBA guidelines.
