Kittredge schematic submitted to MSBA; town will later vote on debt exclusion to fund local share

The School Committee reported that the preferred schematic for the Kittredge Elementary School replacement has been submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and the district is awaiting a scheduled MSBA meeting date in mid‑May.

Nut graf: The schematic submission is the next formal step in the MSBA process; if the MSBA advances the project the town will later need to approve municipal borrowing and a voter debt exclusion to fund the local share (the MSBA typically funds a portion of eligible costs — presenters cited a reimbursement rate in the neighborhood of 40–45 percent).

Committee members described the submission as the end of an extensive evaluation process measuring multiple options; the preferred schematic and the package of supporting documents (including community feedback and building‑committee analysis) will be reviewed by the MSBA in a hearing expected in mid to late May, with a likely decision in June.

If MSBA acceptance moves the project forward, the town must authorize borrowing at Town Meeting (two‑thirds vote) and then voters must approve a debt exclusion (ballot question) for any debt above the levy limit. School Committee members emphasized the multi‑step approval path: MSBA review, town meeting action and then a voter ballot for a debt exclusion.

Discussion vs. decision: The committee discussed the status and next steps; no formal financial approvals were made on May 1.

Ending: District leaders said they will continue community engagement and return with more details on timelines and the upcoming voter actions required to fund the local share if MSBA accepts the schematic.