'We'd be wasting money': Study of Braintree High put on hold

BRAINTREE – It doesn't make sense to spend $1.5 million on a feasibility study of Braintree High School until it is admitted to the state's school construction funding process, School Superintendent James Lee said. 

Lee briefed the town council on the status of four projects funded by voters as part of a 2020 Proposition 2½ debt exclusion, a temporary tax increase.

The study of Braintree High would determine if it makes more sense to renovate or replace the school, which opened a half-century ago and is the town's newest school.

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Lee said the money would not be spent until the school is chosen for the state school building program. He said the study is required by the state School Building Authority once a project is accepted into the program.

The town has applied to the program for the last five years for the high school, but has not yet been accepted. The program pays for part of the cost of school construction.

If the town did the study before it was approved for the program, it would have to do it over, Lee said, unless it wants to pay the full cost of a new high school.

Town Councilor-at-Large Shannon Hume said, "There are a lot of parents asking why we aren't doing anything. We'd be wasting money if we did the study."

Councilor-at-Large David Ringius said he was getting the same questions from parents.

Lee said plans are being developed for replacing the roofs of the Highlands and Liberty elementary schools, which have been accepted into the state's accelerated repair program. Design work is also beginning on roof repairs on the Hollis and Flaherty elementary schools.

Voters approved $5 million for school roof repairs.

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Also approved was $1 million for security improvements at the elementary schools. Lee said a consultant, Good Harbor Techmark, of Norwell, conducted a study which resulted in a 600-page report with numerous recommendations for improvements. He said a committee is working on setting priorities "for the most efficient use of the funds."

The consultant study cost $50,000.

Lee said a $470,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant, plus $130,000 in local matching funds, will be used for communication improvements linking the schools with the town's public safety departments.

Ringius said the recent school shooting in Texas shows the need to "look to and address any ways we can bolster the security of our schools."

The construction of the new South Middle School is "under budget and on time" and is scheduled to be completed next July, ahead of the opening of the 2023-24 school year.

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