Everett committee approves up to $2 million for MSBA high school feasibility study

The Everett City council committee voted unanimously June 24 to authorize up to $2,000,000 in borrowing to fund a Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) feasibility study for a proposed new high school.

The authorization, described in standard MSBA language, would fund the feasibility phase — a required step in MSBA’s process that identifies potential sites, determines building size and programming needs, and produces schematic drawings to guide later design and construction phases. Administration representative Mr. Demas and the invited superintendent told the committee the feasibility study is the program’s first formal step and must be kicked off promptly; the superintendent said communities are expected to begin that process by July 1.

"MSBA requires you to appropriate a total amount of potential costs," Mr. Demas said, adding that Everett’s current reimbursement rate from MSBA was quoted at about 77%, meaning the city’s share would be roughly 23 percent. Mr. Demas also said the $2,000,000 figure is an estimate for the feasibility phase and that actual project costs for construction depend on choices made later in the process.

Councilors pressed on timeline and cost. Councilor DeCaro asked whether missing this authorization would force Everett to restart the MSBA process; the superintendent said failing to demonstrate interest at this stage could jeopardize the city’s standing with MSBA and potentially require restarting the application sequence. Councilor Elsie Jabboon expressed concern about spending $2 million on a study when prior feasibility studies had not led to action: "I don't want this to be a repeat of a study that's just going to be sitting somewhere," she said.

Administrators clarified financing mechanics: the committee would authorize an amount not to exceed $2,000,000, but the city would not bond the amount immediately. If the project proceeds and the MSBA reimbursement is applied, the city would bond only its portion after the feasibility study is complete. Committee members moved and seconded favorable action; the committee voted in favor and the authorization passed. The administration noted that a full bond requires council-level action and that the borrowing authorization requires additional votes at the full city council stage.

Next steps: the feasibility study will proceed under MSBA’s prescribed timeline if the city advances at the required kickoff; the committee vote authorizes city staff to move forward with the feasibility phase subject to subsequent bonding and council approvals.