Estimated Cost for School Building More Than $100 Million

Editor's note: The figures mentioned in previous articles represented preliminary figures. At Tuesday night's meeting the committee estimated the cost for the school building project will now be $105-110 million.

An attentive audience attended the informational meeting about the school building project held at the Tuesday night. For more than two hours, they heard from those involved in the planning and development of the project and asked questions.

The original estimated cost for the new middle/high school was , but the latest estimated cost is at least $8 million more. 

At the forum, Don Kelliher of the Finance Committee said the estimated cost of the project is $105-110 million. The state will reimburse the town 51.54 percent or approximately $50 million. The town's cost of $55-60 million would break down to $700-775 more in taxes each year for 25 years based on a house value of $450,000.

When asked about the cost of repairing the buildings and replacing worn out systems, Kelliher answered, "The cost would be $47 million, but would not add any classrooms or science labs, additional playing fields, a better gymnasium or adequate upgrades in technology. The state would not reimburse the town for any of the costs of replacement and repairs."

Architect Brad Dore displayed the floor plans and the exterior design of the complex. The new high school combined with the extensively renovated middle school would share core space such as the gymnasium, theatre and music space, library/media center and a kitchen. All common areas will be accessed by the building's "Main Street" and can be accessed from outside the building for community events.

Dore explained there would be separate entrances for the high school and middle school students and the classroom space would be separate. The three level green construction complex would conform to the graded levels on the site. The Sixth Grade Academy would occupy the top level.

A better on-site traffic flow and increased parking space would alleviate the current backed-up street conditions. The opportunities for teaching and learning would far exceed what is possible now.

As explained by Superintendent Kathleen Willis the initiative to undertake a school building project stems from careful analysis. Built in 1955 the high school is overcrowded and its operating systems and floor space are not up to code.

Teachers share tight space in science labs that are not adequately equipped. The sports and theatre/music programs are limited by their outdated venues. The use of technology is limited because the building materials interfere with  internet access.

The disadvantages of the modular classrooms and the other drawbacks students live with was made clear by Michael Bitto, president of the junior class. Bitto read a prepared statement that effectively depicted conditions and drew sustained applause from the audience.

He mentioned students avoiding use of the lavatories, their inability to use lockers too small for the books they are assigned, the discomfort of classes held in rooms that were previously used as garages, and the challenge of passing to class in hallways as crowded as the T at rush hour.

State Rep. Brad Jones supported the plan. He spoke of the legacy he enjoyed growing up in North Reading because of the planning the town did on behalf of future generations. He said it was his turn to keep the legacy alive by planning for the students of the 21st century.

To learn more about the school building project, attend one of the following meetings:

December 5- 7:00 p.m. at the middle school

December 6- 10:00 a.m. in the Activity Room

December 16- 10:00 a.m.  in the Flint Memorial Library Activity Room

December 19- 7:00 p.m. at the

January 9- 7:00 p.m. at the high school