Burrell Renovation Won't Need Tax Hike, School Official Says

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Don’t expect to vote on a debt exclusion for the $35 million Burrell Elementary School renovation, according to school officials.

Business Administrator Bill Yukna told the school committee Monday that it’s likely that the town will be able to pay for the work through the town's operating budget, which means that the funding could be wrapped up by the fall. The Massachusetts School Building Authority is likely to reimburse the town for half the costs, which will need to be accepted by local voters at a special Town Meeting after the MSBA announces their reimbursement amount.

The state organization had good things to say about the project when it was presented to them. Yukna mentioned that one person who is usually very critical of projects had nothing but praise for the Foxborough proposal, giving it a glowing review.

The project is currently in the schematic design phase and represents first significant work on the school since it was built in 1967. When the work is done, the school will have a new 6,000-square-foot gym that doubles as an auditorium and new pre-kindergarten wing. The current gym and auditorium will be turned into breakout space for small rooms, a new media center, art and music rooms.

Yukna said the project is up to four years away from completion.

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