MSBA Process

The proposal for a new Taconic High School was years in the making. Initial discussions ranged from creating a regional vocational district to whether the city should pursue a two-school or "one-school" plan that would close Pittsfield High School.

With no interest in developing a regional school, the city moved forward with what eventually became a focus on renovating or rebuilding Taconic. Last fall, the School Building Needs Commission voted to pursue a new school after cost estimates for additions and renovations came in at about the same price. Projected repairs at the school with no addition were in the $36 million ballpark; state funding was limited.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority reimburses up to 80 percent of eligible costs, such as for instructional spaces. The anticipated cost is $120.8 million of which the city will be responsible for $45 million.

The City Council will vote on whether or not to fund the project on Tuesday, April 14. Following that vote, the MSBA will have to approve its own reimbursement on Wednesday, June 3.

At that point, design development phase in which the consultants Skanska USA will work with city officials to further flesh out details and hire a construction manager at risk. That process is expected to include a daylong session for officials to sort through all of the proposals. Ultimately, the group will determine who they'll hire to head the project and enter negotiations. Pre-construction work will also happen during this phase.

MSBA Process

The Massachusetts School Building Authority has a delineated process for research, funding and construction of public schools. Once a locally designated committee — with members approved by the MSBA — and the authority come to an agreement on design and cost, the local governing authority must approve funding the entire amount for the project within 120 days of the MSBA board's approval.

The local authority may be a city council under the mayoral form of government, town meeting or regional school districtwide meeting. The authorizing borrowing indicates to the community's commitment to the project. Should a vote fail, the municipality or school district has a limited amount of time to take action before state funding is reallocated.

According to the MSBA, "a failed local vote likely will result in the school district being required to submit a new Statement of Interest to the MSBA and await an invitation from the MSBA to enter the Eligibility Period phase of the MSBA's process."