The $46.6 million proposal to build a new school is by far the most anticipated item at the Tisbury annual town meeting next week. Voters will also consider the future of the Tisbury town hall.
The $46.6 million proposal to build a new school is by far the most anticipated item at the Tisbury annual town meeting next week. Voters will also consider the future of the Tisbury town hall and even new rules for how articles are presented on the town meeting floor.
Special and annual town meetings begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Tisbury School gymnasium. Town moderator Deborah Medders will preside. There are 20 articles on the special town meeting warrant and 40 articles on the annual warrant. The annual town election will be held two weeks later, on April 24.
Voters will be asked to approve a $27.9 million fiscal year 2019 operating budget.
The Tisbury School was invited into the competitive Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process in early 2016. The state agency provides guidance and funding to schools in need of renovation or new construction, and has offered to cover about $14.6 million of the cost of the new school project. While voters will have to approve $46.6 million for the project, the town will actually be responsible for about $32 million thanks to MSBA contributions.
Large crowd expected at town meeting to vote on new school proposal.
Large crowd expected at town meeting to vote on new school proposal.
School principal John Custer points to lack of space for special education programs and programs for English learners as primary needs at the school. Currently, the school uses an external modular unit for some programs. Inside the school, special education needs for all grades (K through 8) are restricted to two resource rooms.
The school building committee, led by Colleen McAndrews, has explored various options for updating the school as is required in the MSBA process. Possible alternatives have included renovating the existing building and building a new school on a different site.
Under the guidance of project manager Daedelus Projects and architect Peter Turowski, the school committee has developed a preliminary design for a new 76,000 square foot school to be built on the same site as the existing school. Classes would continue in the existing school throughout an estimated 20 months of construction. After the new school’s completion, planned for August of 2021, the existing school, originally built in 1929, would be demolished.
If the project is approved, taxes are expected to increase a maximum of $108.20 per $100,000 of property value. The school project would continue to affect taxes for 20 years at a gradually decreasing rate.
Critics of the measure cite the historical significance of the existing building and the unprecedented cost of the project as sticking points. Proponents see the project as a long-overdue investment in the future of the town.
New school proposal needs a 2/3 majority to pass at town meeting.
New school proposal needs a 2/3 majority to pass at town meeting.
The project will require a two-thirds majority vote at town meeting and a simple majority at the ballot. Discussion is expected to be lengthy, and the town is preparing for overflow attendance by equipping extra space with audio and visual connection in case the school gymnasium fills to capacity.
“Because of the interest in the school facility building article, we certainly are anticipating a larger than normal attendance, and with that anticipating more persons taking the microphones to pose questions or offer up opinions,” Ms. Medders said. She added that she does not plan to rush discussion of the school article, anticipating questions and arguments on both sides of the issue.
“At some point I will begin to get a sense of where the town floor is with listening, and that is when I will begin to think, do I want to offer up the directive that we wind down comment,” Ms. Medders said. Approval of the school project also hinges on a corresponding Proposition 2 1/2 override question on the April 24 ballot.
And while the school is by far the largest, it isn’t the only building project that will be considered next week. Voters will be asked to take steps toward building a new town hall as well. One article will ask for $675,000 to acquire property at 55 West William street for a new town hall. Another article asks for $50,000 from the unreserved fund to finance planning for the new facility.
Meanwhile, the existing town hall needs repairs. Voters will be asked to spend $200,000 from the unreserved fund another $200,000 of CPA money to replace or repair the steeple on existing town hall. Inspections of the structure have shown that it is listing toward the building and that wooden beams have insect rot and water damage.
Voters will be asked to approve a $27.9 million fiscal year 2019 operating budget.
Voters will be asked to approve a $27.9 million fiscal year 2019 operating budget.
Since 1991, Tisbury has used a lottery system at town meeting, taking up warrant articles in random order rather than sequentially as they are presented on the town warrant. Ms. Medders said that practice began before her tenure as town moderator and was meant to help maintain a quorum at town meeting.
“My understanding was there was a growing concern that people were coming for specific articles and bringing a block of votes,” she said. “This was becoming rather chronic. The town would lose quorum once that [specific article] occurred.”
An article on the Tisbury warrant this year by petition would amend the practice to consider warrant articles in the order they appear on the warrant.
The special town meeting warrant includes a proposal submitted by the board of health to add a bylaw to regulate housing rentals in Tisbury. The new bylaw would increase town oversight by requiring landlords to obtain a certificate from the town before renting out a living space.
But with the passage of legislation regulating short term rentals in the state senate this week, the board of health has decided to postpone the article on the town meeting floor.
“It doesn’t make sense to move forward with regulations that would have to be changed almost immediately anyway,” said Tisbury health agent Maura Valley. The state bill will now enter the process of reconciliation between the house and senate.
In addition to the override vote on the school project, there is one contested race on the ballot for the April 24 election. Four people are running for three three-year seats on the finance committee. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at the emergency services building on Spring street.
Comments
Dumb idea. Get a grip,
EmilyDumb idea. Get a grip, Tisbury. Try some common sense and build an addition onto a good old solid building that deserves to remain. Why do you even live on Martha's Vineyard if you want everything to be bigger and inappropriately huger just like on the mainland for goodness sakes - come to your senses and preserve the character of the island while you still can .. what's left of it anyway.
Thank you Emily for your
nancy vineyard havenThank you Emily for your comment. I couldn't agree more. Realizing this building needs a lot of work and will be costly to renovate, it breaks my heart to see this iconic historic building razed in order to build a modern looking edifice which will not blend in to our town. How can a brand new building cost LESS than bringing the old one up to code?
I love it when you read
You miss the point VHI love it when you read something, comment and know nothing about what you're commenting about.
The school currently is under sized and the new school will be larger yes but making up for the current undersized one. Not "huge"r and certainly not inappropriately sized for the current education standards. Yes preserve the character and if you mean VH that would be old and run down buildings. That's the only character left in that town.
The school building has been
Grace TisburyThe school building has been deliberately neglected by the administration for years. They call it "deferred maintenance." It is disgraceful. Did you know that new construction requires 800 sq.ft. classrooms? You don't need that for a shrinking school enrollment, and it is not required by the state for renovation. The state offers financial assistance for renovations, too. We do not "need" a new school.
Very concerned about
Tisbury voter TisburyVery concerned about residential tax rates going up and up,over the last 20 years or more our towns commercial tax income is way down.Lets start with nobnocket project denied,then Boch project denied,then Stop And Shop project denied,and most recently our main bank is closed partly over a roofing material.And now what going to happen with H.N.Hinckley property all commercial revenue,till our commercial revenue is up I for one feel Tisbury residential tax payers should not carry the burden now.
Precisely! Where is the
tisbury resident tisburyPrecisely! Where is the money supposed to come from? We are already the highest taxed town on the island! VOTE NO.
WE cannot afford this school.
CR VHWE cannot afford this school. Take a look at the comments on the other articles (here in the gazette under schools) about the school, some very intelligent numbers and observations from other towns who have faced this same issue. How many families with children attending the Tisbury school are property tax payers? Can they afford this tax hike? Again..WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS. Please show up and vote NO.
I agree Tisbury voter... the
Ted VHI agree Tisbury voter... the big story here is what the heck has been going on with Hinkleys?
I been going there for 20 plus years??
The reality for this town is
Henry Vineyard HavenThe reality for this town is that revenues are not high enough for its needed expenditures. This really is not news; it has been occurring for far too long. We seem to suffer from a "cannot do" attitude. Our school building should have been replaced years ago, but the "can" was kicked down the road and it now cannot be kicked any further. If the building is not replaced now, the future costs will guarantee the building will never be replaced. I suggest the following.
1. Raise town revenues. Do something with the parking lot across the street from the Mansion House. Restart discussions with Stop and Shop so it builds a modern store which will attract shoppers to the entire downtown area. Stop talking about going to the airport to shop for groceries; our town is here. Repair sidewalks. Upgrade Beach Road. Talk with Boch about how his property could help jump start Five Corners.
2. Build the new school. We cannot afford to not do this...now. If not, this town will have a 2nd rate school building where very few new people will choose to raise their children. The knock on effect will be an exodus from Tisbury.
I do not enjoy looking at a larger property tax bill, but I know I will get payback through higher property values and knowing I helped educate our young people as well as can be expected. This is something we can and should do.
I suggested building a
charlie callahan so boston/edgartownI suggested building a modular schhol if it is necessary,at about 1/2 the cost. And that type of construction can be added to much easier than on humongous unnecessary building Kids don't need an overpriced FANCY looking school to learn,maybe the teachers and some of the snobs want a Rolls Royce looking school, but the taxpayers don't wwant or need anything like that.
$46M+?? This is an
Kenny VH$46M+?? This is an extravagance that we simply cannot afford. Our taxes are substantially higher than the other Island Towns, and with no leadership or commitment from our Selectmen to make the Town “business” friendly forget about commercial revenues easing the burden anytime soon. First of all, the school project should be voted down. Let’s go back to the drawing board, and take up the discussion with the other towns of building a regional middle school. Regarding, becoming business friendly, let’s elect leadership that moves the Town forward. Beach Road is a jewel that needs polishing. We need to create a balanced development plan which includes maintaining some aspects of a “working harbor” for which the heritage has been built; and evolving to beautiful & vibrant “ tourist friendly” waterfront that can bring in much need commercial $$$.
Vote no! The building can,
Islander vineyard havenVote no! The building can, and should be made beautiful again. Even if it requires a major overhaul Cheaper than starting from scratch.
It is unbelievable to think
Tisbury tax payerIt is unbelievable to think that renovating is more expensive than building an entirely new school. The tisbury school could be renovated and be beautiful again. It's a shame to see how it's been neglected by the people working in it now. You could add an addition and still spend far less than what is proposed. Tisbury cannot afford this new school.
People who oppose this new
VOR VHPeople who oppose this new school and want to start over the planning process, simply don't understand how much planning has already gone into this. Challenge: go check out the music room, the cafeteria and the nurse's office. After that, report back and tell me they didn't need an overhaul years ago. It's time, guys. Tisbury has to run to catch up.
The school looks pretty bad.
Islander TooThe school looks pretty bad. That is mainly self-inflicted by the School Committee, who deferred basic maintenance for years because they figured they would be getting a new school.
In addition, however, the school is CLUTTERED, DIRTY, DISHEVELED, UNTIDY. It seriously needs to be decluttered and thoroughly cleaned. Hardwood maple floors need to be sanded and poly'd. Dingy, broken blinds need to be cleaned or replaced.
And do the same types of repairs that you would do in your own house. If there is a leak, you fix it. You don't use it as an advertisement for tearing down the house and getting a new house.
The school building is basically sound. The materials in it are valuable, and not affordable today. In the new school plan, they are already cutting corners on materials. And please remind me, which new building constructed on MV has not had major problems very soon after it was constructed.
Tearing the school down is not green. It is not sustainable. It is not good for Planet Earth. These are the facts. The new school plan is a 20th-century suburban vision that is, quite simply, not sustainable in the 21st century. Tisbury already spends $27,000 plus on each student. This may be OK with you, but it is not fiscally sustainable for most. The school budget already eats up over 50% of the Town budget. Once the Trump tax law goes into effect, there will be even less $$$. The advocates of a new school really do not understand the fiscal, the environmental, even the social costs of this new school boondoggle. They are the ones who are "sentimental" and "nostalgic" for a suburban vision that does not fit in this town and is way too expensive. $46 M for fewer than 300 students? You are dreaming!
What remains unreal to me is
Michael OiBWhat remains unreal to me is over 50% of this tax burden lies with summer residents.
Thank you for pointing that
larry mollin Los AngelesThank you for pointing that out. And now with the bill to tax short term rentals it's another hit at homeowner resident and seasonal.
The school committee choice
Tisbury voter TisburyThe school committee choice for new construction is absolutely wrong. Here are three important paragraphs within the MSBA regulations that were purposefully ignored.
First, in regard to site selection, we should NOT have been wasting time looking at the Manter site as an option.
See section 2.05 Site Standards in 963 CMR "The site selected shall be chosen on the basis that it will meet the educational need, maximize the use of any available community resources, and minimize any possible adverse educational, environmental, social, or economic impact upon the community. Such adverse impact shall include, but not necessarily be limited to: the need to provide new sewers, roads, transportation facilities, water supply, water connections, and other public infrastructure to the site; existence of soil conditions or hazardous materials that may cause site development costs to be greatly increased; or curtailment of the approved educational program."
Second, we should not have been using the same academic program to investigate renovation / addition.
See section 2.06 Education Program Space Standards
"The space standards contained in 963 CMR 2.00 and in the MSBA Educational Program Space Standards and Guidelines may not necessarily be applicable to reconstruction, renovation or repair projects. These standards and guidelines were developed by the Authority for determining maximum size and costs related to new construction and should not be used for assessing safety standards or educational adequacy of existing facilities that were constructed in accordance with the standards and guidelines that prevailed at the time of construction. The Authority shall consider Proposed Projects on a case-by-case basis and in some cases different square footages may be determined at the discretion of the Authority."
Third, we should of been using the possibility of a higher reimbursement through renovation and addition.
See Section 2.18 Grant Percentage Formula
"Renovation or Reuse of an Existing Facility. The Authority, in its sole discretion, may allocate up to five incentive percentage points (5%) for an Approved Project if the project is a renovation of an existing facility that requires no new construction. The Authority may award an amount less than said five percent for an Approved Project which has a combination of renovation of an existing facility and the building of some additional square footage for new educational space, based on a sliding scale that relates the percentage of renovated space to the percentage of newly constructed space. The Authority shall not award any incentive percentage points from this category for construction of a new school facility."
These errors and omissions are HUGE mistakes made by the committee tasked with the critical JOB of spending 825K looking at how we improve our school facilities, and call into question their ENTIRE premise that new construction is the right choice.
See here for full regulations:
http://www.massschoolbuildings.org/sites/default/files/edit-contentfile…
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