Superintendent shares draft educational specifications for one consolidated high school; timeline targets grant filing June 30, 2026

Superintendent Belizzi presented the draft educational specifications and stakeholder feedback for a proposed single consolidated high school and outlined next steps and timing toward a grant application.

Belizzi said the district received feedback from roughly 62 stakeholders (some provided multiple comments). Consultants Colliers and SLAM helped draft the specifications and run staff focus groups. The draft specifications are intended to define programmatic spaces, capacities and square footage for an approximately 1,600-student high school; items under discussion include auditorium size (about 800 seats in the draft), gym configuration (a main and auxiliary gym with a retractable divider), science labs, CTE spaces, counseling and file-storage strategies and potential community-use areas such as an optional pool.

Belizzi emphasized that class-size guidelines remain unchanged (board guideline of 25 students standard) and that programming decisions informed the space and equipment assumptions. She said the planetarium currently at Mark T. Sheehan High School is not included in the draft specifications; the district may retain access to an off-site planetarium if Sheehan’s facility remains available.

On schedule, Belizzi said the district is aiming to secure town funding authorization, refine site selection and submit a state grant application by June 30, 2026. If awarded and all phases proceed on Colliers’ timeline, the district estimates a tentative opening date for a consolidated high school in fall 2031. Colliers’ next tasks after a successful grant application would include final schematic design, permitting and bidding; the superintendent cautioned the timeline requires site identification and several studies (transportation, traffic, geotechnical, environmental) before town funding is requested.

Belizzi also noted the ASTE program (a separate, higher-reimbursement grant, currently estimated at about an 80% reimbursement rate) would require a separate application and ed-spec review.

Board members asked about community engagement, site updates and tours. Board member Regan asked that Colliers attend the Feb. 24 Board meeting to present a community-engagement timeline; Belizzi said she will attempt to schedule that and will distribute the stakeholder comments and presentation materials to the public the following day. Regarding site selection, Belizzi said preliminary conversations have occurred with town officials, including the mayor and planning staff, but no site is yet viable to present publicly; she said executive-session conversations are expected as part of the site process. The district plans public walk-throughs and virtual options for the two existing high schools, with a Sheehan walkthrough scheduled for the last week of February.