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School building committee reports lowering of construction estimate; MSBA decision still pending
Summary
The school building committee said schematic-design construction costs were revised down (from roughly $133.5M to about $129M) due primarily to reduced contingencies, but total project costs remain substantial; the committee awaits an MSBA decision expected Dec. 12.
The Milton School Building Committee told the School Committee on Dec. 4 that the schematic-design construction estimate for the proposed school project was revised downward since July, largely because contingency amounts were reduced as unknowns were clarified. The committee’s presenter said the construction estimate moved from roughly $133.5 million in July to just under $129 million in the updated estimate; when design fees and project contingencies are added the full project cost remains substantially higher.
A committee member said the earlier higher estimate reflected larger contingency holdings for unknowns; as the design work progressed and unknowns diminished, contingency decreases accounted for much of the change. The committee also noted it has exhausted design funding for further work pending decisions and that the district has asked the OPM to prepare comparative analyses on the MSBA funding pathway versus a non‑MSBA route so town leaders can assess the fiscal trade-offs.
The committee reported it expected an MSBA decision by the MSBA board meeting scheduled for Dec. 12; that outcome will affect the timing and scope of upcoming warrant-article recommendations and may require the School Committee to take votes at its next meeting to prepare warrant recommendations for the February town meeting.
The presenter cautioned that while construction estimates were reduced, the district still needs to evaluate total project costs and potential state reimbursement levels before final decisions are made. The committee plans to follow up with more detailed cost breakdowns and recommended warrant-article positions at the next meeting, depending on MSBA’s notification.
