August 24, 2006
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
You can do something!
The following is a summary of the issue (from my perspective), subsequent to last night's B-R School Committee Meeting and the related discussions.
The project got off to a rough start with two low-bidders rejected due to inability to secure bonds. This caused an immediate increase in certain construction costs that had to be absorbed in the Contingency Budget. The project has been further hindered by rising steel costs and energy/transportation costs. The rising costs have continued to negatively impact the bottom line of the overall project budget.
Based on State MSBA (Mass School Building Assistance) calculations, the MSBA has estimated that this project would cost up to $77,015,000 - with a 66.31% reimbursement of $51,068,647. The two Towns approved a project cost of $69,100,000 in their respective Town Meetings and Ballots. These MSBA dollars are based on their estimates for what it should reasonably cost to build a high school with our size and educational plans. Therefore, there is about $8M in additional expenditures that the MSBA would reimburse for as long as the items are consistent with the original educational plan for the facility.
There are several areas where costs have been pared to stay within the overall budget plan. It is in these areas that consideration should be given for funding. These are within the original educational plans for the project, and would be eligible for the 66.31% state reimbursement. From a cash perspective, for every 63 cents Bridgewater and 37 cents Raynham agrees to, the State will come up with about another $2 for the project. It would not make sense to spend money on items of little or no value to the students and communities. However, when there are things that will improve the overall project, and there are funds available, serious consideration should be given to leveraging the matching funds.
The "wish list" of items for this project is quite extensive. It would have been easy to come up with ways to allocate the full available $8 million. Upon review, a separation was made to determine those items that are most critical to the success of the new High School.
There are three projects totaling a half-million dollars that will directly improve the educational component offered at B-R High School. $200k for additional library resources, $275k for additional technology, and $25k to work with BTV cable on a video lab/studio will all leverage matching dollars and improve education. $350k is needed to address public safety issues - namely a mile of sidewalk along North Street (from Northfield Drive to Pleasant Street). Lastly, approximately one million dollars is needed to complete some of the work necessary for the school fields. The last amount of this allocation is for the leveling of 7 acres suitable for most any activity. Further work will be done on some of this space to configure into formal fields. Some will be left as open or raw space that could be used for soccer, picnics, or watching fireworks. The last possibility is a personal favorite of mine, with my connection over the past years with the Bridgewater 4th of July Celebrations.
Details:
$200,000 = library books and related supplies
$275,000 = additional technology; classroom and common areas
$ 25,000 = cable tv studio/equipment; in conjunction with BTV-9 cable
$350,000 = sidewalks at North St. entrance; Pleasant St. to Northfield
$120,000 = field lighting
$ 20,000 = public address system
$750,000 = fields work; make approx. 7 acres level and playable
$225,000 = fields work; develop into true sports fields
Total = $1,965,000
MSBA has determined a 66.31% reimbursement rate for the new High School project.
Therefore, MSBA reimbursement is calculated to be $1,302,992
This results in:
Bridgewater "net" cost of $419,051 (63.3%)
Raynham "net" cost of $242,957 (36.7%)
The B-R School Committee voted unanimously to approve an article to request that this matter be brought before the two host communities (Bridgewater and Raynham) for funding approval. Formal submission and request from B-R to the two towns should be delivered shortly.
