Selectmen Looking For Options For Needham HS Project

NEEDHAM, MA — Parts of the Gym A renovation may fall victim to cuts as school and town officials search for a way to fund the Needham High School addition and renovation project.

Superintendent Dan Gutekanst told the selectmen Tuesday that the price of the project is $14.1 million, more than what was appropriated by the Annual Town Meeting in May. That means either finding the extra funds or making cuts, something that those involved in the project would prefer not to do.

The project calls for 10 new classrooms, a new chiller, six classroom renovations for special education, and the Gym A renovation. Originally projected to be $858,000, the gym component's increase to $1.8 million was the biggest spike and some aspects could be put aside.

School Committee Chairperson Heidi Black told the selectmen that if cuts have to be made, it would likely be done in the gym project and gym storage may be deferred. The remainder of the project is on target budget-wise.

The selectmen said they are willing to look at options to make the whole package work.

“If there is a way to do this project as presented, I think we should do that. From what you were saying about how this construction project would be portrayed, I think if we find the money, we get it done. Whatever pieces we don’t get done are going to be more expensive the next year,” Selectman John A. Bulian said.

School officials are expected to be back in front of the selectmen before October’s Special Town Meeting.

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