What is the MSBA and how much grant money have they approved for the project?

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The MSBA receives hundreds of applications for funding assistance from cities, towns and regional school districts across the commonwealth yearly and due to funding deficiencies, is only able to select a handful of school projects, based upon relative need. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient schools across Massachusetts. Learn more on the MSBA’s website here https://www.massschoolbuildings.org/

​

As stated above, the maximum amount that the MSBA will contribute for this project will be determined at the conclusion of the Schematic Design phase, likely to be in the Spring of 2024. The preliminary reimbursement rate agreement with the MSBA has been set using a base reimbursement rate of 78.24% of “eligible costs”.  It should be noted that not all project costs are eligible for reimbursement by the MSBA. Additionally, there are opportunities for additional incentive points that could increase the base reimbursement rate.  The incentive points will be developed and evaluated when the final building solution is selected.

​

What is wrong with the current building?

From an education perspective, the education spaces of Clinton Middle School do not meet today’s standards. The school was built for an “open concept” model that has long since vanished from education. 

 

What is the proposed project?

The preferred schematic design that was approved by the Clinton Permanent Building Committee and the MSBA was a New Construction Project. The proposed project is to build a new 136,000 square foot school on the site of the current middle school fields that would house grades 4 through 8 and have a projected enrollment of 700 students.

What will the project cost?

The current estimated budget for this project is $139.9 Million. The budget includes contingency funds and escalation estimates. Based on the funding formula and MSBA reimbursement caps, it is estimated that the MSBA grant would be approximately $77.9 Million leaving a local share of approximately $61.3 Million​. 

​​

We will be seeking MSBA approval to lock in their grant funding for the project so the local cost impact can be estimated. We anticipate that this stage of the project will be in April of 2024.

​

When will construction start?

No construction can or will start until Clinton permits the School Committee to authorize borrowing. After member approval, the project design team will complete additional designer services to produce bid ready construction documents. 

​

The final construction schedule has not yet been determined and will not be published until the timeline for securing local funding is finalized.

​

How can the local community keep informed and/or be involved as this project progresses?

• Project website:  www.clintonmiddleschoolbuildingproject.com

• Attend periodic community presentation meetings and provide feedback

• Attend School Building Committee meetings, typically held on a regular basis on Tuesdays of each month at 6:30PM via Zoom or at the Clinton Middle School.

​

Can the District increase the project scope and budget after obtaining member town approval to move forward with the building project?

At the end of Schematic Design phase, the selected building project is brought to the member communities for their financial support. At this point, the project scope and budget has been thoroughly vetted by the District, the project team and the MSBA. As part of the MSBA process, the District must formally agree to the total project cost, schedule, project scope and size, student enrollment, and other factors that could influence the overall project cost, prior to seeking community support.  The MSBA Grant Funding Process is designed to lock in the project cost and scope in order to prevent cost increases in the refinement in the project as it moves toward construction. When the project is under construction, the budget will contain standard and appropriate contingency funds so that the project does not overrun the budget. 

​

What does that do to my taxes?

 The following table is an estimate of the potential tax impact of borrowing $61,300,000 for 30 years at 4.25% interest on the average home in Clinton.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

When would I see this tax increase? 

During the construction phase, there would be smaller short-term borrowing taking place. There would be incremental increases to cover the cost of the short-term borrowing beginning in FY26; however, the full amount of the building project is most likely to be assessed in FY29.

​