CAN THE DISTRICT INCREASE THE PROJECT SCOPE AND BUDGET AFTER OBTAINING MEMBER TOWN APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BUILDING PROJECT?

At the end of Schematic Design phase, the selected building project is brought to the member communities for their financial support.  At this point, the project scope and budget has been thoroughly vetted by the District, the project team and the MSBA. As part of the MSBA process, the District must formally agree to the total project cost, schedule, project scope and size, student enrollment, and other factors that could influence the overall project cost, prior to seeking community support.  The MSBA Grant Funding Process is designed to lock in the project cost and scope in order to prevent cost increases in the refinement in the project as it moves toward construction. When the project is under construction, the budget will contain standard and appropriate contingency funds so that the project does not overrun the budget. 

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AS PROJECT COSTS GO UP AND DOWN AFTER THE PROJECT GETS LOCAL APPROVALS, HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THE MSBA REIMBURSEMENT AS THE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD?
In the MSBA Project Funding Agreement, the MSBA states their grant funding limits on the direct building and soft costs. They also limit their participation in any contingency expenditures that are reviewed at different intervals throughout the project for eligibility for reimbursement. The MSBA evaluates submitted costs on a monthly basis and issues their grant reimbursement to the school district. The School District will not know the exact amount of grant funding until the project is complete and closed out.

 

WHAT IS MSBA’S REIMBURSEMENT TO THE TOTAL COST? 
The maximum facilities grant is $82.7million and will be agreed to in the project scope and budget agreement that will be signed by the District after the local authorization has been voted by the sending communities. 

 

IS THE MSBA’S CONTRIBUTION GUARANTEED? 
Once the Project Funding Agreement is in place, the MSBA reimbursement structure is guaranteed.  The amount of reimbursement is based on a 56.6% reimbursement rate for eligible costs to the district, because of significant ineligible cost, the actual reimbursement rate is reduced to less than 29%. This is in line with other MSBA projects. 

 

WHAT IS THE TOTAL PROJECT COST? 
The total project cost is $285,992,692.  
 

HOW MUCH WILL I HAVE TO PAY TOWARD THE PROJECT AS A TAXPAYER? 
For anticipated taxpayer impact by Town please visit our website www.tri-countybuilding.com.
 

WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF THE TOTAL ALLOCATED TO CONSTRUCTION? 
Of the total, $233.2 million was allocated for construction. 
 

IF THE PROJECT IS APPROVED, WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE?
The project moves into the detailed design phases, where the Architect develops the design and construction plans.  Construction would start in summer 2024 with the new school opening in the summer 2027.  The demolition of the existing school will then occur, followed by the construction of the playfields in summer 2028.  
 

DO YOU HAVE TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL OR CAN YOU RENOVATE THE CURRENT SCHOOL? 
During the feasibility study phase (MSBA MODULE 3), the team studied multiple options, including renovation, addition and renovation, and new construction.  Ultimately, new construction was the most economical option voted by the School Building Committee.  The (11) communities were invited to Community Forums to vote in a sticker pole on their preferred design option.  
 

HOW CAN I KEEP INFORMED OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT?
You can visit www.tri-countybuilding.com to find a complete list of Committee members, contact information and all published documentation.