Mayor Requests $253K for East Middle School Feasibility Study

BRAINTREE, MA - Mayor Joseph Sullivan is requesting the Town Council to approve the use of over $253,000 for a feasibility study on the proposed renovation and addition of East Middle School.

Tuesday night, the council voted to refer the matter to the ways and means subcommittee, with the expectation that there will be a vote on Feb. 23.

If passed by the subcommittee and then the full council, $253,566 will be allocated for the study.

In a letter to the council, Sullivan noted that the council previously approved $300,000 in March 2014 for extraordinary repairs and a second authorization totaling $140,000 last year.

Recently, the Mass. School Building Association notified the town that they would be a willing participant if the East Middle School renovation project included an addition. The partnership with the MSBA would include a financial component, according to Sullivan.

Early proposals for the renovation call for a renovation and new construction, with fifth graders moving to the school. A similar plan is in the works for South Middle School, which would help open up 22 classrooms on the elementary level, according to school officials.

The Braintree School Committee will vote on whether they want to go ahead with the new plan at their next meeting.