Central School project narrows site options; committee keeps existing grade configuration

The district’s Central School building committee will meet next Tuesday to refine recommendations after the school committee on Feb. 18 reviewed three location options and confirmed maintaining the current K–2 configuration.

Building-committee staff reported three site choices under consideration: 1) a renovation/addition that preserves the original central-school structure and constructs new wings so students can move into finished additions while the old sections are renovated; 2) a new build behind the current softball fields with subsequent demolition of the original building and relocation of the softball field to the front; and 3) a build at Leland Farm. The committee previously weighed whether to expand the elementary configuration from K–2 to K–3; after discussion the committee voted to keep the current K–2 configuration to limit cost and avoid possible MSBA claw-back exposure tied to previous design assumptions.

Committee members emphasized cost control. One presenter estimated adding third grade to the design could raise costs by about $20,000,000; they said MSBA would make a determination if a reconfiguration could trigger penalties. Multiple members said building-committee input will guide recommendations and the school committee will be kept informed though the full school committee may not need to cast a formal vote on site choice unless grade configuration changes are proposed.

The building committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. in the lecture hall; school committee members are invited to attend.