Burncoat High School in Worcester has long been due for serious work, and the possible price tags are coming into focus.
Preliminary estimates in front of city councilors range from $150 million to $710 million, depending on how much work the city takes on.
Here's what to know
Several paths are under review, The Worcester Guardian reported. The lowest-cost option is basic work on the building, with an estimate of $150 million to $165 million.
The highest-cost proposal would renovate and expand Burncoat High and Burncoat Middle schools, with projected costs of $685 million to $710 million.
Other options fall between those two extremes. A brand-new facility for grades 7-12 would run $635 million to $640 million. A new high school on its own would cost $435 million to $460 million, while renovating and expanding the high school alone would land between $455 million and $500 million, the outlet reported.
No option has been chosen yet, as the city is studying feasibility with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. A report on the preferred design is expected in March 2027, construction could begin in May 2029, and the finished school could be ready for students and teachers in August 2032.
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More background
As of June 30, the city had $981.8 million in debt, per the Guardian.
The administration estimated that replacing or renovating both schools would raise the city's debt by 30%, assuming the state covers roughly half the cost. Yearly payments on that debt would climb by more than $25 million. Over 30 years, interest would tack on roughly $200 million.
Under the $710 million plan, the administration projected the city could pay nearly $30 million more each year in debt costs by the early 2030s, the Guardian noted.
What's being done?
The administration wants the city to get its finances ready before a decision is made.
Chief of Public Facilities James Bedard said he was prepared to recommend moving up to $7.5 million of possible free cash, or leftover city funds, into the New High School Fund if the one-time revenue the city expects comes in. He also called on the City Council to set aside $15 million of its unused tax levy capacity starting in fiscal year 2028 to cover some of the debt payments to come.
In his report, he cautioned that without advance planning, the city could face "future years of budget cuts and/or double-digit tax increases," per the Guardian.
Where can I learn more?
Public schools elsewhere are tackling upgrade costs with geothermal systems, solar power, grants, and other funding strategies.
• In New Bedford, officials found the most efficient option for school upgrades was also the cheapest.
• In Pennsylvania, a $22 million program could reshape K-12 schools with solar investments.
• One school district used solar panels on a landfill to save nearly $2 million.
• At Ridgefield High School, a new parking lot installation was projected to save $1.5 million.
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