Selectmen Approve Statement Of Interest For New Middle School

NORWOOD, MA — The Massachusetts School Building Authority will consider the town's statement of interest for a new middle school.

The statement will move forward following a vote by the selectmen to back the proposal. The school committee voted twice to approve the statement of interest and now it moves on to the MSBA.

Superintendent Dave Thomson told the selectmen that the submission process takes about a year and a feasibility study follows if a community's project gets accepted into the next phase.

The selectmen were more than willing to back a project to replace Coakley Middle School.

"This is a building that must be replaced. It’s not a good learning environment. It’s not the proper place for children to get an education," Selectman Paul Bishop said.

The project is projected to cost $87 million, but the town could receive a reimbursement from the MSBA of up to 52 percent.

The earliest construction would start is 2022.

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