By Jessica Ommen

The Holliston School Committee is seeking $2.5 million in local funding to move forward with a potential high school building project following the town’s recent acceptance into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process. The request is expected to be presented at the May 11th Town Meeting (7 p.m. at Holliston High School), where voters will be asked to approve funding for a required feasibility study—an essential early step in the MSBA program.

Holliston’s acceptance into the MSBA eligibility period follows several years of applications and reflects growing recognition of the need to address long-standing issues at Holliston High School. The building faces a range of challenges, including aging infrastructure, outdated systems, and space constraints. Identified concerns include outdated science labs, poor energy efficiency, a deteriorating roof, and a septic system in need of replacement—though septic-related work is not eligible for MSBA reimbursement.

School Committee Vice-Chair Dan Alfred described the effort as an opportunity to rethink educational spaces for modern needs, emphasizing that a new or renovated facility could be designed to better serve both students and the broader community. In his view, the goal is to create “learning spaces of the 21st century” and potentially transform the building into a shared community resource, “so it’s more than a school… it’s a community space.”

The proposed $2.5 million allocation would fund a comprehensive feasibility study, a required phase in the MSBA process. This study includes hiring architects and engineers, evaluating existing building conditions, and developing multiple design options such as renovation, expansion, or full replacement. Town officials stressed that entry into the MSBA eligibility period does not guarantee project approval or funding, as the state advances only a limited number of proposals each year based on factors such as urgency, readiness, and financial feasibility.

While approving feasibility study funding does not commit the town to a construction project, it is a necessary step to evaluate options in detail and understand potential costs before any larger financial decisions are made. If Holliston ultimately advances through the MSBA process, the state could reimburse a significant portion of eligible construction costs, with reimbursement rates determined later. School Committee members have estimated that support could reach up to approximately 50 percent, depending on the final scope and approval pathway.

The funding request was discussed at a Select Board meeting on April 13, where members examined both the scale of the project and its cost. While the $2.5 million figure prompted some questions, comparisons to other municipal projects helped provide context. For example, a recent schematic design for a much smaller Department of Public Works (DPW) facility cost roughly $500,000, underscoring the scale and complexity of a full high school feasibility study.

A key point of discussion was how to structure funding responsibly. One proposal considered reallocating $350,000 from an existing DPW project to help offset the study’s cost. Another suggestion involved using funds from a school roof project, though that option was ultimately not pursued by the School Committee.

Select Board Chair Ben Sparrell suggested a compromise approach: approve the $350,000 transfer with the condition that if the feasibility study comes in under budget, any unused funds—up to that amount—would be returned to the DPW project. The intent was to balance fiscal caution with the need to keep the project moving forward, while avoiding permanent diversion of funds from other capital priorities. However, the discussion reflected some discomfort with linking unrelated capital projects in a single funding decision.

The urgency of the decision is driven by MSBA’s structured and time-sensitive process. Once a district is invited into the eligibility period, it must complete a series of requirements within a set timeframe. These include certifying compliance with MSBA rules, forming a School Building Committee with representatives from both the School Committee and Select Board, completing an Educational Profile Questionnaire, documenting maintenance practices, confirming community authorization and funding, establishing a design enrollment agreement, and executing a Feasibility Study Agreement that governs reimbursement eligibility.

Even if voters approve funding and Holliston advances to the feasibility phase, the overall process remains lengthy. From eligibility through design and potential construction, the full timeline can span several years. Any final project would require additional Town Meeting approvals and likely a ballot vote before proceeding.

For now, school officials emphasize that the $2.5 million request should be viewed as an investment in planning rather than a commitment to construction. The feasibility study is intended to give the town a clear understanding of its options before making major long-term decisions. The funding request will be considered by voters in the coming weeks as part of Holliston’s broader budget and capital planning process.

Although the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has deemed a new Holliston High School building an eligible project, a major next step in the process is a town vote on a feasibility study, which will take place at the May 11th Town Meeting.