Braintree East Middle School On Track For Fall Opening: Developer

BRAINTREE, MA — Renovations and additions at the East Middle School are expected to be completed by the time classes resume in the fall, according to the project developer.

The expansion allows grade 5 classes to join grade 6 through 8 at the East Middle School.

Michael Carroll, of Hill International, told the School Committee Monday that the crew moved on to renovating existing portions of the buildings. He said all the work should be completed by mid-August.

"We still have some odds and ends to finish up," Carroll said. "But it's allowing us to move into the next phase. We're starting to bring in teachers desk, students, desk, all the equipment, all the pots and pans for the kitchen."

School Committee Chair Thomas Devin also reiterated that the $83 million East Middle School expansion remains "on time and on budget."

At a School Committee meeting in April, Superintendent Frank Hackett said the move of grade 5 students will be in effect for at least the 2020-21 school year. A longer term solution is pending the proposed construction of a new South Middle School, which was the second part of a plan to move all grade 5 students to the middle schools.

To pay for a new South Middle School, Braintree officials scheduled a special election to decide on a $63 million debt exclusion. The election was scheduled for March 28, but was postponed because of the new coronavirus pandemic. A new date has not been set but can be set as late as Sept. 30.

The vote also included whether to fund replacing the roofs at five elementary school, school security improvements and a feasibility study on re-developing Braintree High School.

More on the Braintree Debt Exclusion:

• Braintree May Lose Millions For New School Without Debt Exclusion
• How Much Will The Braintree Debt Exclusion Cost You In Taxes?
• Opinion: Vote Yes For Braintree Debt Exclusion
• Braintree Debt Exclusion To Cost $63 Million Over 30 Years: Mayor
• Mayor Calls For Debt Exclusion To Pay For New South Middle School