'Great for Brockton Public Schools:' Brockton High could earn massive renovation project

BROCKTON – Brockton High School has moved one step closer to getting a massive building renovation as Mayor Robert Sullivan announced Thursday that state officials will conduct a feasibility study for a state-subsidized renovation project.

Earlier this week, officials from the Massachusetts School Building Authority approved Brockton’s request for a feasibility study for the renovation of Brockton High, which was first built in September 1970.

Following the study, if plans are approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the state will fund 80% of the entire renovation.

“That was a game changing vote,” Sullivan said at Thursday’s school committee meeting. “That’s great for Brockton High, that’s great for Brockton Public Schools.”

Brockton was selected as one of 10 schools in the Commonwealth for the Massachusetts School Building Authority CORE grant program, which was established in 2004 to fund major construction projects for public schools in Massachusetts. After missing the invitation twice, Brockton High School sent a letter of interest in 2020 that was accepted in December 2022.

The possibility of the huge project came under threat in February of this year when members of the Brockton City Council considered denying Brockton Public Schools the $2.5 million needed to secure the feasibility study. The council has been critical of the school district’s spending since its $18 million budget deficit in 2023.

"This is what we wanted," said Ward 7 Councilor Shirley Asack at the time, "but we're not in the right place to accept it."

Councilors voted unanimously in March to approve the $2.5 million despite the school district’s financial insecurity.

Read more: Wary pols approve $2.5M to study renovation of Brockton High School

How much will the project cost?

The project could cost $1 billion, meaning Brockton would pay roughly $100 million to $200 million for its share. According to Sullivan, state leaders have pledged that the $2.5 million for the feasibility study will be included in the 80% reimbursement, although cities typically pay that fee in full. The Massachusetts School Building Authority will pay up to $800 million.

“The feasibility study will carefully examine potential solutions to the issues identified at the school’s facility and will help us develop the most cost-effective plan to address those issues,” state Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg said in a written statement.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority has given the green light to over 1,000 school building renovations across Massachusetts and has given more than $17 million to fund these projects.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton High School renovation: State approves feasibility study