The North Andover School Committee heard Nov. 20 that the Kittredge School Building Committee voted to approve the schematic design binder and will submit the package to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in December for a decision expected in February.

Speaker 3, reporting for the building committee, said members voted unanimously to approve the 870‑page schematic design binder and that the team intentionally delayed submission to take advantage of increased MSBA reimbursement caps. "By delaying, we were able... to consider the higher caps," Speaker 3 said, estimating the decision will result in approximately $2 million of savings to the town from value engineering.

The total project budget presented is approximately $80 million; Speaker 3 said the MSBA's expected contribution is just under $30 million, leaving the town to finance the remaining costs likely through bonds. The committee discussed that the town will present financing scenarios at the tri‑board meeting and that the fixed‑costs committee is still determining whether debt will require a debt exclusion at town meeting.

Speaker 3 described value engineering measures that reduced costs (examples included resizing elements such as cubbies and windows) and reiterated that the schematic will go to MSBA in December with a February decision. Committee members thanked the building committee for extensive public input, surveys and multiple meetings that informed the design and the cost reductions.