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Westwood committee authorizes MSBA Statement of Interest for Thirstston Middle School
Summary
The committee unanimously authorized submission of a Massachusetts School Building Authority Statement of Interest for Thirstston Middle School, citing overcrowding and systems needs; the SOI is the first step and does not guarantee MSBA acceptance or funding.
The Westwood School Committee voted unanimously on March 19 to authorize the superintendent to submit a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for Thirstston Middle School.
Staff explained the SOI identifies current deficiencies and aligns the district with MSBA priorities. For Thirstston, the district plans to cite: priority 2 (elimination of existing severe overcrowding), priority 5 (replacement, renovation or modernization of facility systems including roofs, windows and HVAC), and priority 7 (replacement or addition to obsolete buildings to support program needs). Committee members read the required resolution into the record and formally approved authorization for the superintendent to submit the SOI.
Staff walked the committee through the MSBA process if the district is invited into eligibility: MSBA site visits and reviews, potential acceptance (commonly decided in December), a feasibility and schematic-design phase funded by the district (with a possible Town Meeting vote to fund that work), and eventually a project funding agreement that clarifies the project scope and the state's reimbursement. Staff estimated a multiyear timeline from feasibility to construction in the broad window of 20272032 under the MSBA process and said all dates are contingent on MSBA acceptance and subsequent town votes.
The committee emphasized that submitting an SOI does not guarantee MSBA acceptance, grant awards, or a project funding commitment; the SOI only begins the eligibility review process. The committee also acknowledged that questions about grade configuration and the district's master plan are part of the subsequent feasibility study, not the SOI submission. The chair said the committee will present the SOI permission request to the Select Board on Monday ahead of the April 17 submission deadline.
