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Shawsheen Technical seeks MSBA design funding; Bedford’s share capped at about $61,427
Summary
Shawsheen Valley Technical High School officials briefed the Bedford Select Board on a warrant article seeking Massachusetts School Building Authority design funding. A feasibility study would cost just under $1.5 million; Bedford’s town share was estimated not to exceed $61,427 and renovations would occur on-site.
Tony Mclntosh, Shawsheen Valley Technical High School superintendent, told the Bedford Select Board on Feb. 9 that the district has been invited to MSBA’s 270-day eligibility period to pursue design funding for renovations. The feasibility study is “just shy of $1.5 million,” and Bedford’s share was described as not to exceed $61,427.
Shawsheen currently serves about 1,300 students in an aging facility with rising maintenance costs, Mclntosh said. He told the board that district contributions currently run about 10% of capital costs, though that percentage could increase depending on future enrollment trends. Mclntosh said all renovations under consideration would take place on the existing campus, and that program offerings—particularly certain trade programs—affect renovation cost and space needs.
Select Board members pressed presenters on contingency planning and the competitiveness of MSBA funding. Mclntosh said MSBA receives roughly 70–90 statements of interest annually and typically funds about 15–20 projects; if a district loses eligibility it cannot reapply until 2027. He also told the board that eliminating about half of the trade programs would be required to realize significant cost savings, underscoring how program scope affects capital needs.
The matter appears on the town meeting warrant as Article 17, Shawsheen Technical High School Feasibility Studying Funding; the Select Board reviewed the warrant but did not take a final vote on funding at the Feb. 9 meeting. If the feasibility and design phases proceed, the district would hire an owner’s project manager and design team to develop renovation plans, and the town’s share would be subject to the usual debt-exclusion process and voter approval at Town Meeting or an election as required.