South Shore Regional Vocational Technical seeks voter approval for new $162 million school rebuild

Tom Hickey, superintendent of South Shore Regional Vocational Technical, told a virtual public forum that the district’s building committee has settled on a new‑construction plan that would house about 900 students and add two new vocational programs.

Hickey said the proposal — developed with architects and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process — is intended to address a record enrollment (about 684 students), an annual waiting list near 100 students and roughly 400 applications for approximately 180 seats in the coming ninth‑grade class. "We should be able to accommodate 900 students and open two brand new programs in plumbing and veterinary science," Hickey said.

Why it matters: The district argues the current 1962 facility is undersized and its systems are outdated, limiting modern shop space, safety and program growth. Hickey said the preferred new‑build balances instructional needs and site constraints driven by wetlands and results in a compact design with high‑ceiling shops on the first floor and commons and student services above.

Cost and state partnership: Hickey described a financial picture in which the district would finance roughly $162 million after receiving a projected MSBA grant (Hickey described a "maximum State Grant" included in earlier estimates). He characterized the project as achieving a little over a 60% eligible reimbursement score from MSBA, which he said translates to about a 40% actual reimbursement rate for the district. Hickey also cited anticipated equipment grants and MSBA incentive points that the district expects to reduce local costs.

Timeline and vote: The district will place a districtwide ballot question on Jan. 25, 2025 (polls 9 a.m.–5 p.m.). Hickey said the project would move to final design and, if funded locally after reimbursement, begin construction in summer 2026 with the goal of opening the new building for the 2028–29 school year and then demolishing the old building and rebuilding athletic fields.

Facility features and programs: Renderings shown at the forum depict a farmhouse‑themed building behind parking with athletic fields in front. Hickey highlighted vocational shop design (automotive bays, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, manufacturing), a multipurpose auditorium with retractable seating, a larger barn‑style gym, a dining commons and public‑facing elements such as a student‑run restaurant and automotive services. He also noted plans for a greenhouse and a freight‑farm container to support horticulture instruction.

Operations and construction phasing: In response to audience questions, Hickey said the project team expects to maintain continuous instruction during construction without renting modular classrooms, though some athletic teams would use partner fields in nearby towns during the build. The superintendent said the committee deliberately chose a 900‑student design (rather than a maximum studied enrollment of 975) to avoid overtaxing the site.

Next steps and outreach: The district will post town‑level tax impact information on the project website before the end of the week and intends to hold additional outreach sessions (senior centers, PTOs, community organizations) to explain debt‑share scenarios and borrowing options. Hickey encouraged residents to review the posted impact estimates ahead of the Jan. 25 vote.

Quote: "If the aggregate number of ‘yay’ votes is 50% plus one then the project is considered approved and then we move forward with the design," Hickey said, describing the districtwide voting standard.

What’s next: The ballot on Jan. 25, 2025, is the next formal step. If voters approve the project, the district will finalize financing decisions with town financial leaders, proceed to construction in summer 2026 and aim to open the new facility for the 2028–29 school year.