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Pool and other amenities likely local expenses; MSBA will not reimburse non‑educational elements

Medford School Committee / Medford Comprehensive High School Building Committee · January 9, 2026

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Summary

Consultants told the webinar that elements not eligible under MSBA rules—most notably a swimming pool—would be paid locally or by donors; the MSBA covers only eligible educational spaces, and the district plans donor outreach and a debt-exclusion vote if a local share is required.

During the webinar Q&A, project staff clarified how funding decisions will be treated once an option is selected for Medford High School. Left Field and SMMA told attendees that the MSBA reimburses eligible educational spaces per its guidelines, but non‑eligible elements — the presenters used a swimming pool as the example — are not reimbursable and would therefore represent a significant city/district cost.

Matthew Gallino (Left Field) said inclusion of a pool will be debated through the feasibility process and would hinge on cost, operational considerations and community preference; he noted explicitly that pools are not reimbursable by the MSBA and would require separate local funding or donor contributions. Jenny Graham reiterated that district leaders were already planning donor outreach and that a municipal debt exclusion (a voter-authorized property-tax override) would be required if the city chose to proceed with a project that exceeds MSBA reimbursement.

Why this matters: if the final preferred option includes non‑reimbursable amenities, those costs affect the municipal financing plan and the size of any debt-exclusion question put to voters. The district said it will explore donor contributions and other revenue options but did not provide a final financing plan; final budget figures will be developed during schematic design and submitted to MSBA for approval in early 2027.

Attribution: the explanation that a pool would not be reimbursable was made by Matthew Gallino (Left Field); Jenny Graham described planned donor outreach and the likelihood of a debt-exclusion vote in 2027.