Tewksbury boards authorize superintendent to submit MSBA statement of interest after debate over costs and timing

The Tewksbury Select Board and School Committee on April 1 voted unanimously to authorize the superintendent of schools to submit a Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Statement of Interest (SOI), asking MSBA to evaluate priority categories 5 and 7 and to consider deficiencies identified in the district's facilities reports.

Consultants from JCJ and the district walked both boards through the SOI process, emphasizing that an SOI is a request to be considered and is not a commitment to build. Doug, the JCJ consultant, told members that MSBA will prioritize applications by need and educational impact, then conduct due diligence that can include site visits and a staff recommendation to MSBA’s Board of Directors. He said a district invited into feasibility would have 270 days to complete required tasks and that the first local financial commitment would typically be funding a feasibility study, which the consultants estimated at between $1 million and $2 million.

Why it matters: an accepted SOI opens the district to a prescribed, multi-stage MSBA process that can result in a feasibility study, design, and ultimately a town meeting vote on any capital project. The consultants presented an illustrative schedule showing a town meeting vote as early as May 2030 and a potential occupancy date for a new elementary in the early 2030s under an accelerated timeline; they cautioned the schedules depend on MSBA decisions and funding availability.

The discussion centered on costs and scope. Select Board member Mr. Cutless challenged the consultant's $147 million figure for a new elementary school as unrealistically low, citing recent nearby projects priced at $173–$178 million. The consultant and an estimator from PM&C said the study’s figures are conceptual-level square-foot cost estimates intended for comparative analysis and that MSBA ultimately determines eligible costs and the reimbursement percentage. The consultants also noted certain spaces (for example, an auditorium) may be deemed ineligible by MSBA and thus fully locally funded.

On identified project targets, consultants said the SOI must indicate a facility with the greatest demonstrated deficiency; the presentation noted accessibility and mechanical-system issues at the elementary facility transcribed in the meeting as “Doyng” (also transcribed elsewhere as “Dunning”) as an example target. Consultants warned MSBA may propose a different target or configuration during feasibility after reviewing all district buildings and enrollment scenarios.

Both boards discussed timing and local fiscal impacts. Board members were reminded that if MSBA invites the district into feasibility, the town would typically be asked to appropriate feasibility study funds at town meeting (the consultants estimated that step could occur around September–October 2027 in the illustrative timeline). Any larger construction or renovation costs would later require separate town votes.

Formal action: Select Board member Mr. Russo moved and the Select Board seconded a motion authorizing the superintendent to submit an SOI to MSBA prioritizing statutory categories 5 and 7; the Select Board approved the motion by roll-call aye votes. The School Committee then made a corresponding motion to approve the SOI letterhead and authorize submission; the School Committee also voted unanimously in favor. The chair read the MSBA disclaimer that an SOI does not guarantee MSBA acceptance or any funding commitment.

Next steps: district staff and consultants will prepare the formal SOI letter and supporting materials for submission by the MSBA deadline called out in the presentation; if MSBA invites Tewksbury into feasibility the district would organize a school building committee, refine designs and costs, and hold multiple public meetings and, ultimately, a town meeting vote on feasibility and later on any proposed construction.

The meeting concluded with a recognition of departing Select Board member Mr. Holland and the joint session adjourned at about 7:36 p.m.