Swampscott To Seek State Matching Funds For Middle School Renovation

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Three years after the completion of the new $98 million K-4 elementary school, Swampscott officials are eyeing a renovation or replacement of the middle school building, built in 1958 with an addition put on in 1977.

The Select Board on Wednesday joined the School Committee in unanimously supporting a Statement of Interest to be filed with the state School Building Authority. If a project is chosen, the MSBA provides state matching funds for new school buildings and large-scale renovations.

Salem is set to vote on a $239 million debt exclusion next month to supplement more than $200 million in state funds for a new high school. Peabody is also in the process of developing plans for a new high school through the program.

Swampscott used $34 million in matching funds to help build the $98 million K-4 school. That MSBA process began in 2017 and culminated with the school opening in 2024.

If approved during this cycle, the middle school project would be on track for completion around 2033.

"I think the time for us to act is now," Select Board member David Grishman said. "The timeline is so far out into the future that we have to start now. There's no guarantee that this happens. But let's start the process."

Swampscott School Facilities Manager Max Kasper said the middle school has many systems "in very poor condition" that are due for replacement or are at risk for "catastrophic failure."

He said that while the town has used capital funds to repair the roof and windows at the school, there are HVAC, electrical, fire protection and accessibility issues associated with the school that are outdated or in danger of becoming obsolete.

He added that the building does have "good bones" and may be eligible for a large-scale renovation over a complete replacement.

"They prefer a renovation," Swampscott Superintendent Jason Calichman told the Select Board. "Because if there is a new building, the old one has to be torn down and put in a landfill. And they are running out of landfill space."

Kasper said the timeline of this project would, theoretically, line up with the debt from the high school coming offline. There is about $7 million remaining owed on the high school, which is set to be paid off by 2034.

If chosen, the town would have to fund a feasibility study for the middle school renovation or replacement as part of next year's budget.

A townwide vote on a tax override to pay for the new building debt would likely come in 2030.

The application deadline for consideration in the next cycle is April 17.

Town Administrator Nick Connors said that between 100 and 150 projects apply for funding each year in a "competitive process" with only a fraction of the submissions chosen for funding.

"These are opportunities for the community to reaffirm support (for a new school)," he said. "You guys have all talked about how this is a priority on some level and that trying to make it work financially is important.

"Whether it's funding for feasibility, or a decision around a debt exclusion in the future, those are opportunities for the community to say: 'Yes, this makes sense even with our competing priorities.'

"Or it doesn't."