Dennis-Yarmouth Small Building Committee enters MSBA feasibility phase; district questions lower reimbursement rate
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Summary
Dr. Smith said the district received MSBA feasibility materials and must sign a 17-page agreement and submit exhibits; the packet lists a $1,500,000 feasibility budget and shows a reimbursement rate of 54.16%, down from the district's earlier 57.11% estimate, and the district has asked MSBA for clarification.
The Dennis-Yarmouth Small Building Committee on Feb. 12 was briefed on materials from the Massachusetts School Building Authority tied to the district’s entry into the MSBA feasibility phase and flagged a lower-than-expected reimbursement figure that district staff said they are seeking to clarify.
Dr. Smith, who presented the packet of MSBA documents, said the district has received a formal invitation and a multi-page feasibility study agreement that the district and MSBA must sign to proceed. He said the feasibility phase materials include an exhibit showing how a roughly $1,500,000 feasibility-study budget would be allocated and the associated MSBA reimbursement calculation. “Our reimbursement rate was 57.11%,” Dr. Smith said, “and here you’ll notice the reimbursement rate is listed at 54.16%.” He added he has requested further explanation from MSBA about the change.
Why it matters: the MSBA reimbursement rate affects the town’s net share of costs if the project advances to construction. Dr. Smith also described other required exhibits: a verified enrollment letter that frames the feasibility study around either a 355-student standalone school or a combined enrollment of 670 students (exclusive of preschool), and a signed verification from the district’s legal counsel confirming counsel will support the process.
Next steps outlined by staff included submitting certification of the school committee vote authorizing the feasibility study, executing the feasibility agreement with MSBA, and selecting an owner’s project manager (OPM) through a request-for-services (RFS) and a selection process. Dr. Smith said legal counsel has begun work on procurement documents and that the OPM would manage MSBA paperwork, designer procurement and later bidding if the district pursues a build.
The committee asked for clarification on procedural details. A member asked whether the MSBA property-wealth factor—used in the reimbursement calculation—refers to Dennis only or to Dennis and Yarmouth combined; Dr. Smith said he is still seeking details and the district will notify the committee once MSBA responds. Another member asked whether the feasibility study would evaluate non-construction options; Dr. Smith said the feasibility guidelines require all options to be examined, and Exhibit B shows sizing limits if a build option is chosen.
Board business: the committee confirmed it will attend the MSBA board hearing scheduled for Feb. 25 (Zoom option available) and expects to receive notice about agenda placement. The committee approved the Jan. 15, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote and later moved to adjourn.
The committee will reconvene March 19 and expects to present an RFS/selection process for the OPM and further updates after the Feb. 25 MSBA hearing.