The School Committee received an update on the Kittredge School building project and its Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) review on Jan. 15. Committee members said the application was in good standing and that the MSBA is expected to render a decision in mid-February.

Chairman Hicks and school leaders explained that, once MSBA approval is received, town meeting must authorize the district's share of the borrowing so the project can move to bidding and construction. The chair projected a 30-year bond or loan with an estimated annual payment of about $3 million. She said, based on current assumptions and recent local revenue growth, the town expects to move the project forward within the tax levy without a debt-exclusion ballot measure.

Several public commenters and a North Andover Teachers Association building representative asked for clarity on who decided not to pursue a debt exclusion and how the financing decisions were reached. The chair responded that the town manager presented financing recommendations (including the no-debt-exclusion approach) at a municipal board meeting in December, and that the committee and other local boards will have opportunities to endorse or not endorse warrant articles before the final town meeting vote.

Superintendent Lathrop said the district will begin outreach to inform voters about the project if MSBA approval is granted. Committee members emphasized that multiple votes will be required at town meeting (separate votes are expected for capital improvement items, the overall capital plan omnibus, and the debt-authorization article for Kittredge). If town meeting does not approve the district's appropriation, the state reimbursement would not be available and the project could not proceed as planned.

Next steps: MSBA decision is expected in mid-February; the committee and town staff will provide public information and prepare warrant articles for town meeting.