Superintendent outlines MSBA process for Joseph Case junior high; committee urged to review educational plan

Superintendent Scott Holcomb told the School Committee on Monday that the district's educational plan for the Joseph Case junior high — the foundation for any building or renovation project — will move from draft into a formal presentation this week to the School Building Committee and that the full school committee will review the plan on June 2.

Holcomb said the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process requires the district to produce multiple models — typically a new building, a renovation, and a renovation-plus-addition — and that the School Building Committee will recommend which model to pursue. "They force you to do that," Holcomb said of the MSBA process, explaining the MSBA asks districts to present different solutions so the authority can evaluate project eligibility and costs.

Holcomb said the educational plan will be presented at the School Building Committee meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Joseph Case High School commons, and at the school committee meeting on June 2. He warned the committee and the public that even if the project advances, the vote to proceed with MSBA funding would not occur until November 2026, and construction or renovation timelines would depend on the model chosen.

Administrators signaled that one staffing implication of the work is a possible need for an additional certified library media specialist (1.0 FTE) to support a restored or redesigned literacy hub in the future junior high. "There will be a presentation by... that demonstrates the need for 1 more FTE...a library media specialist," Holcomb said.

Holcomb urged the public to follow MSBA updates and attend the School Building Committee meeting, noting the process is lengthy and that local decisions about design and staffing will follow the MSBA review and local approvals.