Taconic School Project Decisions Needed in Next Few Months
 The School Committee members were in favor of the new school. |
Superintendent Jason McCandless outlined last week the schedule for the $115 million project to a supportive School Committee. The City Council will be asked to approve more than $40 million in borrowing to pay for the project.
"There is a lot coming in the coming months," McCandless said.
On Thursday, the designed scope of the project will be sent to two estimators to determine a budget. By Feb. 4, McCandless said the cost of the project will be almost "set in stone."
On Feb. 3, there is a special City Council meeting that will hone in on exactly what the cost of the project will be and its effect on the budget and taxpayers. And the City Council will be discussing the merits of a flat roof versus a sloped roof.
The two days following that, the cost estimators will set a budget. On Feb. 9, the School Building Needs Commission will be asked to approve a project budget. Three days later, the project budget will be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
On March 16, the School Building Needs Commission and the School Committee will hold a joint meeting to give the project a final overview. The entire project will be presented to the City Council on March 24.
The very next day, on March 25, school officials will be going to Boston for the MSBA board of directors meeting in hopes to receive approval. If the MSBA agrees with the selected project and the subsequent reimbursement for some 80 percent of qualified costs, the City Council will be asked to fund it.
"This project allows us, the city of Pittsfield, get back some of the tens of millions of dollars we have given to the state," McCandless said.
The MSBA is expected to pay 80 percent of the costs, which in reality will be closer to 60 percent of the project.
"A penny of the sales tax goes to the MSBA. That's one of the way the MSBA builds schools," McCandless said, adding that any purchase made in Pittsfield helps contribute to building schools across the commonwealth. "This is an opportunity to get tens of millions back."
McCandless said that if the city does not tear down the current building and build a new one on the other side of the driveway, it will cost "tens of millions of dollars" over the next decade in repairs. Officials say building a new school will help improve property values and reduce the number of students choicing out.
Mayor Daniel Bianchi added that it is more than the "brick and mortar" of a building but a change in the entire educational programming. He said building a new, high-tech school will help align the work force with the needs of businesses.
"This is important. This is probably the most critical economic development initiative that we are going to see," Bianchi said.
 Jason McCandless, left, encouraged residents with questions to ask them. |
"I have driven by that school many times and I don't see a problem with the school," he said.
School Committee member Anthony Riello rejected O'Connor's assertion on Wenesday and encouraged residents to visit the school and tour the inside.
"You really need to get inside of that building. It is disgusting. It is absolutely disgusting," he said.
Taconic is the newest of the two city high schools, being built in 1968. However, the building has been determined to be in worse condition than the 80-year-old Pittsfield High School.
McCandless encouraged residents to attend meetings, tour the school, ask questions and keep abreast with the project in the coming months. Each meeting has been open to the public and been filmed and shown on PCTV, he said, and will continue to be.
"Our hope is that the citizens of our community, if you have question, please ask these questions," McCandless said. "If our neighbors have concerns please come to me to express those concerns."
Cynthia Taylor added that those who support the project need to tell the City Council because otherwise they'll only hear from those who are against it — like O'Connor.
Tags: MSBA, school project, Taconic High,
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