Natick May Begin Process For Major School Renovation

NATICK, MA — Natick may soon take a key step in a process that may lead to the renovation or rebuilding of a town elementary school.

On Tuesday, the Select Board will review a presentation about possibly sending a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the agency that aids local school districts with construction funding.

A statement of interest is typically the first step in a years-long process. In Natick's case, the statement would be about whether to either fund renovations or replacement of Memorial Elementary School. Superintendents submit statements of interest — this year they are due by April — after votes by the School Committee and Select Board. The MSBA then decides which projects can enter the next step in the funding process.

According to the district, Memorial may need close to $2 million in repairs in the coming decade, including about $1 million just to replace windows. The school will also take on some students leaving Johnson Elementary, which the School Committee voted to close by 2025.

The Select Board meeting begins Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The MSBA letter and other school-related financial topics are the only items on the agenda.