Milford wins key vote in its goal to rehab — or replace — its public high school

Tom Benoit, The Milford Daily News
·4 min read

MILFORD — The Massachusetts School Board Authority has voted to invite Milford High School into its eligibility phase, marking a key step forward in potentially getting upgrades or even a new school.

The MSBA voted Wednesday to invite Milford High School into its eligibility period at its directors meeting. During a 270-day period starting next Aug. 1, the state will work with Milford school officials to determine the district's financial and community readiness to enter the MSBA capital pipeline.

While the invitation carries no guarantee, Superintendent of Schools Kevin McIntyre expressed excitement over clearing that hurdle.

"We're very excited to move forward with this needed and critical project," he said in a phone interview on Wednesday. "It's something, as a superintendent and as a community member, I think we need… It's a great step forward and we're looking forward to engaging with the activities we need to do for the eligibility period. It's very promising."

Milford High School science teacher Catherine Neville and Principal Josh Otlin chat inside a classroom back in March. The Massachusetts School Board Authority has voted to invite Milford High into its eligibility phase, marking a key step forward in potentially getting upgrades or even a new school.
Milford High School science teacher Catherine Neville and Principal Josh Otlin chat inside a classroom back in March. The Massachusetts School Board Authority has voted to invite Milford High into its eligibility phase, marking a key step forward in potentially getting upgrades or even a new school.

Earlier: For third straight year, Milford will try to receive state support for a new school

The MSBA partners with communities to support the design and construction of public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the MSBA has approved 1,027 projects and has made more than $16.7 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects statewide.

Projects already in the capital pipeline include a new Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin. The 11 communities that send students to the school — Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham — acted as one large community to approve funding construction of the $286 million school that will require about $200 million raised in local taxes and paid over a 30-year bond.

The process for a new Tri-County began in 2015, when school officials began discussions about applying for help from the MSBA to fix up the school. Additional property taxes resulting from the bond will fluctuate for the towns during the borrowing period. For example, a taxpayer who owns a home in Franklin valued at $500,000 would pay an extra $144 annually until the 30-year bond is paid off.

Milford submitted its third statement of interest to state in April

In Milford, McIntyre submitted a statement of interest to the state in April for either a new high school building or a substantial renovation to the existing building on West Fountain Street after receiving authorization to do so from the Select Board.

In a press release, MSBA Executive Director Mary Pichetti said the 270-day eligibility period is "a critical step in the MSBA's process of evaluating work on Milford High School. We look forward to our continued partnership with the district as it enters the eligibility period."

Back in March, Fernando Borges was one of four Milford High School teachers whose office was part of what was referred to as "the locker room." There were 18 more teachers than classrooms at the high school during the 2022-23 school year, according to Principal Josh Otlin.
Back in March, Fernando Borges was one of four Milford High School teachers whose office was part of what was referred to as "the locker room." There were 18 more teachers than classrooms at the high school during the 2022-23 school year, according to Principal Josh Otlin.

'Systems are failing': Voters in 11 Tri-County communities OK funding construction of new voke school

In each of the past two years, McIntyre has submitted a statement of interest for a new high school to the MSBA, citing the current 50-year-old building's age, space constraints and increased demand for college and career readiness programs.

McIntyre's proposal asked for the replacement, renovation or modernization of school infrastructure and facilities, including the boilers and heating and ventilation systems. It also asks for “replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements.”

The current Milford High School, at 31 West Fountain St., opened in 1973 and has not undergone a renovation, according to the MSBA website. The 2022 statement of interest cited overcrowding at the high school, an issue the entire school district is facing, according to the form of vote.

Milford High School's enrollment increased by 15% in five years

Milford High housed 1,325 students in grades 9-12 at the time the statement was submitted, according to the Superintendent's Office. That's up 15% from five years earlier, when enrollment totaled 1,152.

In response to the growth, 14 classrooms were constructed in places not meant for that purpose. Principal Josh Otlin previously told the Daily News that while it's not catastrophic, it does negatively impact working conditions for teachers, who are moving between classrooms throughout the day.

Last year’s statement of interest also cited that 26% of Milford Public Schools' total student population is designated as English learners, up from about 10% in 2015. Majority languages represented in Milford Public Schools include English, Portuguese and Spanish, according to the district's website, with a majority of students born or their parents originating from Brazil and Ecuador.

The number of students with high needs has also increased, from about 42% in 2015 to 66% in 2021.

The next step is for Milford's school district to complete preliminary requirements pertaining to local approval and formation of a local school building committee. Upon timely and successful completion of eligibility period requirements, the district becomes eligible for an invitation into the feasibility study phase of the MSBA Capital Pipeline, subject to a vote of the MSBA Board of Directors.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: MSBA invites Milford into eligibility phase for high school upgrades