Stoughton Committee Endorses Plan for New High School

If Stoughton votes to address the state of the high school building, it will likely be a new structure located on the current school property.

Thursday night, the Stoughton High School Building Committee voted unanimously to endorse building option C2A over a second proposal for a new building and two renovation options.

The rectangular-shaped proposed building features a courtyard in the middle. Construction time is tabbed at just under three years.

Several committee members cited the small difference in cost between the four projects and how the proposal fits into the town’s educational plan as part of their reasons to support a new building.

“I think it’s clear that C2A is the best option from a cost standpoint. Why would I want a 50-year-old wall when I am going to pay the exact same price for a new wall?” committee member Richard Hill said.

According to a preliminary cost analysis, option C2A is projected to cost the town about $71.5 million, compare to the add/renovation options which were projected at $70.83 million and $74.62 million.

At the start of the meeting, State Senator Brian Joyce told the committee that the projected state reimbursement for the school will be around $55 million.

Committee member Roberta Harback, who supported considering a renovation option, also voted to build new.

“I really wanted an add/renovation, I thought it would be cost effective, I thought we could save some money,” she said. “As much as I want to say B2, C2A is the way to go.”

Next, the proposal will be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Association. The proposal will also need a vote at town meeting and at a special election to approve the funding through a debt exclusion.