New estimates released Friday put the cost of renovating and expanding Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School at $333.5 million, with potential state reimbursements dropping Islanders’ share of the total to between $253 million and $256 million.
New estimates released Friday put the cost of renovating and expanding Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School at $333.5 million, with potential state reimbursements dropping Islanders’ share of the total to between $253 million and $256 million.
Earlier estimates had put the cost at more than $350 million, but financial analyst Sidni Bragg of CHA, the school’s project manager, said the latest design contains more renovated space, which the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) reimburses at a higher rate than new construction.
The high school building committee got its first look at the new numbers Friday and will meet again Tuesday to finalize its submission to the MSBA, which will decide early in 2026 whether or not to grant reimbursements for close to $78 million.
The new estimates are based on a schematic design by Tappé Architects that calls for renovations throughout the 66-year-old school and the addition of a two-story classroom building on the west side of campus. The district’s preferred design would preserve the performing arts center, the gymnasium and the spaces connecting them; the rest of the existing school would be demolished to make way for the new academic building.
The high school committee is due to vote on the submission Wednesday, before submitting it to the MSBA by the Dec. 18 deadline.
Should the state authority accept the high school project for reimbursement, a majority of Island voters will need to approve the plan at a special election, provisionally scheduled for June 2.
All six towns agreed in 2022 to a cost-sharing formula for the building project, based on a mix of the property values and admissions statistics in each town.
CHA project manager Michael Owen told the building committee Friday that he will have the individual towns’ estimated costs in time for Tuesday’s building committee meeting.
Construction expenses alone would add up to more than $314 million, according to Friday’s presentation by Ms. Bragg and Mr. Owen.
Another $8.6 million would fund a solar energy package, with rooftop arrays, parking lot canopies and an one-megawatt generator, that’s not included in the current design.
Mr. Owen said CHA had prepared the numbers at the building committee’s request, as members considered whether or not to include the solar installations as part of the construction project.
“It will offset your operational expenses in an all-electric high school,” he said.
If the committee decides it wants the solar work, it will need to add it to the design in the application due next week, he said.
Legal, insurance, permitting and architectural fees, along with the cost of outfitting the school with new furniture and equipment, are among the project’s other costs.
The estimated project budget includes the $2 million feasibility study Island voters authorized in 2023 as the first step toward entering the MSBA grant program.
There also are contingency funds in the event of unforeseen cost overruns.
The new cost estimates put the MSBA’s reimbursements at $78,620,194, although Ms. Bragg said the state authority usually pays out about three per cent less than the total grant due to expenses deemed unreimbursable after the fact.
School officials have been pursuing a new building for several years due to outdated heating systems and other infrastructure, a lack of space and a leaky roof.
Comments
Folks…. Just keep in mind
Jack EdgartownFolks…. Just keep in mind $300 million will mean $500 million …. This is outrageous…
When the MSBA funds are
Can we get an answer? ChilmarkWhen the MSBA funds are discussed, it’s always “potential”. Without something definitive without caveats and exemptions the voter has to look at this as if we’re paying for the entire sum.
not happening
Ken Edg.not happening
The current school is an
OB Resident OAK BLUFFSThe current school is an embarrassment. No one wants to spend this much but this is how much it costs these days to build a school. I have yet to hear a naysayer point to a specific design feature that they feel is a wasteful expense.
Let’s address falsehoods head
Patti Blinds TisburyLet’s address falsehoods head on. For those who actually pay attention to the entire process don’t bother reading. For those who armchair quarterback without ever paying attention please pay attention. The final price with a construction manager at risk is a not to exceed number, just like Tisbury did and please find the headline where the project came back to voters for more money once the building started. I will save you time. It didn’t happen. 300 cannot become 500. That is a falsehood. For a final finding agreement to be presented to the voters, the MSBA must actually have a project in front of them. They make the final determination of reimbursable expense. The project has not gone to MSBA yet, so you are getting the professional opinion of firms that do this every single day. And they are clear that this will only be final once MSBA has the project. No voter will be asked to vote on a hypothetical number. I hope more people will actually engage in facts going forward. A word of wisdom. Do go back and look at what happened in Tisbury when voters turned down the MSBA project. That did not go down in cost despite what some towns people touted in letters to the editor.
Thank you for an articulate,
Ed EgarrtownThank you for an articulate, facts-based post. Another fact to consider is that the CM for this project, WT Rich, is the same as the Tisbury School. Also, in terms of a cost comparison, Lexington High School is estimated at $600M. While it is obviously a larger school serving more students in an affluent town, there is also not the added twist of an island to consider.
Why not build it pre fab
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownWhy not build it pre fab.Probably cost 1/3 less than from scratch and just as good. These kids don't need a fancy building to learn,they need good teachers. I forgot, the people here want the kids to attend a TAJ MAHAL,not a plain school where they learn to use a pencil and paper.The sections could be shipped on the ferries and probably be built in 1/2 the time.
People who have never built
Albert GosnoldPeople who have never built built a school can always do it for so much less.
Please submit your detailed bid along with a 10 million dollar performance bond
Pencil and paper are so last century.
No computer skills, no jobs.
Albert - Right on!
Mark VHAlbert - Right on!
For anyone fretting over the price tag, go check in with the folks in Lexington, MA. The opening bid for their new high school came in at $660M - admittedly for a larger student body than at MVRHS.
Buildings do not make an
Lorraine EdgartownBuildings do not make an education. Pour money into buildings while scores and student achievement keeps waning. Poor use of taxpayer money. We are woefully preparing our children for life in the coming decades and centuries. We are embarrassingly low, globally, in education.
Put $2million a year into
Simple math I learned at MVRHS ChilmarkPut $2million a year into existing every year and the building will rapidly improve if you did that for 150 years, you would still save money in your new building isn’t gonna last that long anyway
I love this type of math.
Patti Blinds TisburyI love this type of math. This would require multi years to do just the HVAC system and would require piecemeal until you got one actual functioning system. That is not a good plan. How about windows and doors. How long to delay those? Another 5 to 10 years? Should you stop paying for upkeep in the meantime. In 10 years how escalated will the cost of materials be? This pay it later is why we are in this mess to begin with. With this plan how many. This would have been a good idea 15 years ago.
Well said!
Ned Williams Potomac Md, EdgartownWell said!
A third of a billion dollars
John Aldeborgh KatamaA third of a billion dollars with a year round island population of 20 thousand, then a list of things it doesn’t include, like furniture! What are the on going running costs for the new school? All this when birth rates are crashing and the island is already unaffordable for working people. Please make this make sense.
but the State of
Robbie OBbut the State of Massachusetts will reimburse the project up to $77 million..... like none of us pay state income taxes. So you have the left side of your pocket pay one portion and we will rob your other pocket to pay the remaining and give you the illusion it was paid for by someone else..... go ahead and approve this if it makes you feel better but remember you are paying the entire amount and it will not even come close to the projection.
The building committee has
John Abrams West TisburyThe building committee has done a great job solving a complex problem. Be sure to include the solar. It would be terribly short-sighted and economically problematic not to - the cost of electricity only goes one way, and with the solar your costs will be fixed for 40+ years.
Why not make it a multistory
just a thought mvy and mainlandWhy not make it a multistory building with one roof and one foundation with less of an expensive footprint. One roof instead of four. One foundation instead of four.
We urgently need a new or
Meghan WTWe urgently need a new or refurbished school. The building is used year-round for school and community events. The issues are numerous: classrooms are too small, windows don’t open properly in warm weather and lack screens, and some rooms have no windows or HVAC at all. The heating system is unreliable; some rooms reach 80 degrees while others remain uncomfortably cold. Teaching and learning while wearing coats or sweating through lessons is unpleasant and unacceptable.
Hazardous materials are likely present in the floor tiles and may also be present elsewhere. Ceiling leaks are common and can lead to mold growth. Despite the extraordinary efforts of our custodial and maintenance staff, the building continues to deteriorate.
Yes, a new or refurbished school requires a significant investment. $300 million is a considerable sum, and no one takes tax increases lightly. Delaying action won't make the problem go away. Every year we wait, the costs of materials, labor, and emergency repairs increase. What seems costly today will be even more expensive tomorrow, and the learning and working conditions in the meantime continue to worsen.
Add new comment