ATHOL – The Capital Program Committee met Wednesday, Feb. 5, to discuss the Athol Royalston Regional School District’s proposal for the two towns to fund a feasibility study for a new high school.

School Committee members Frank Visco and Bobbi Newman were on hand to answer questions from the committee. It’s estimated the study would cost approximately $1.6 million, up to 76% of which could be reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

“A couple of the more important questions for us,” said CPC Chair Jim Smith, “are how much are we looking at and how much is the Capital Planning Committee going to be involved in this? As you know, every department comes out with a five-year plan and what we’re looking at for equipment in the future. Now we’re looking at a ladder truck, we’re looking at other large expenses and building repairs. It’s our responsibility as a committee to look at the feasibility study and how to move forward with it.”

The committee was given information compiled by district Superintendent Matt Ehrenworth, which indicated that of the estimated $1.6 study cost, Athol voters would need to commit just over $1.5 million, with Royalston covering the balance of $96,000. Once reimbursement is received from MSBA, the cost to Athol and Royalston would be $308,000 and just over $19,000, respectively.

Visco explained that MSBA requires feasibility studies to look at three potential sites for a new high school. He added that, at present, the district administration and committee see on or near the current athletic field as the preferred location. The outdoor running track, he said, could remain in place.

CPC member Gino Tontodonato asked what would happen with the existing school.

“The last thing Athol needs is another vacant school building,” he said.

Visco replied that once the new high school is constructed, the old structure will be razed.

When asked whether funding the study would come via a Proposition 2 ½ override or a debt exclusion, Newman replied, “It better be through a debt exclusion.”

Visco and Newman said a new high school is needed because the current facility has a number of infrastructure problems, outdated science rooms, and can’t handle the anticipated increase in enrollment. Visco noted that Athol has several pending projects to expand housing in the community, all of which would bring more students to the district.

Smith pointed out that in 2018, “The town allocated $10 million for an upgrade of everything up at the high school, which was supposed to meet our needs for 10 or 15 years. We allocated the money, the work was done, and we kind of expected to get more out of the money the taxpayers came up with. You’re kind of cutting us short, in my opinion, moving forward so quickly on this thing.”

Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee Chair Ken Duffy was also on hand for Wednesday’s meeting. Noting that he was speaking for himself and not the entire FWAC, Duffy said, “Back in 2018, the district came to us and said, ‘We have a problem. The problem is the high school needs extensive work, but we realize the town just paid for a middle school and just opened up an elementary school.’ The district at that time realized, ‘Look, we can’t come to you for another new building, but we need to do (what they called) an accelerated repair program out of MSBA.’”

Duffy said that when the town approved $10 million for the repair program, the district administration and the School Committee said, “We come won’t come back to you for about 15 years for a new school; this will get us through.’”

“That’s what was sold to the taxpayers of the town,” Duffy continued, “and that’s why the Selectboard, the Capital Planning Committee, and the Finance Committee supported it.”

Duffy pointed out that the loan to pay for the high school repairs won’t be paid off until 2031, while payments on the bond for the Athol Community Elementary School will continue until 2040.

“What I don’t like is when you tell the taxpayers one thing and then do an about-face on them,” Duffy stressed. “I’m not doing that. I’m not going back to the taxpayers after five years and ask them to build a new high school.”

“I get it,” said CPC member Linda Oldach. “We were told at the time we were making the right decision. But does that stand in the way of making a different decision if it’s the right one? I do hope we get a chance to get more information so we can make a wise decision.”

A joint meeting of the CPC, FWAC, Selectboard, and Town Hall’s internal finance team is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11, specifically to discuss the issue of the proposed new high school. It will take place at 5:30 p.m. in Liberty Hall at Town Hall.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.