Richer School Project

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and figures may be misheard.

What: the new Richer K-5 elementary school (about 160,000 sq ft) and its financing.
Where it stands: the council approved the $160,544,091 bond 10-0 on 2026-07-20 after a 5-0 Finance recommendation on 2026-07-13. The MSBA has approved the project. By October a construction manager (Fontaine, per the superintendent) was onboard.
Next: design development and early construction packages; target opening fall 2029. A retiree literacy tutoring pilot at Richer is set for January.

Total project about $162.5 million, including $2 million already appropriated for the feasibility study.
MSBA reimbursement: 78.8 percent of eligible costs (86 percent of the budget), about 63 percent overall, up to roughly $103.1 million. The city pays about $57.4 million, plus a separate $6.3 million for Richer School Area Stormwater Bond (about $63.7 million combined).
Cost is about $792 per sq ft against an MSBA cap just under $700, so part of construction is unreimbursed.
Tax impact per the treasurer: about $193 a year on average for the median home, peaking near $275 around year three.
Michael Ossing warned that this stacks on the fire station (about $150) and a coming capital plan (about $50), and asked Vertex to match the Goodnow school's result (about $9 million of bonds later rescinded).

About 950 students (current Richer is roughly 500); redistricting would free space in the other three elementary schools.
Three stories built into the hillside on the field below the existing school; fifth grade and cafeteria on the lowest floor, K-1 and gym on the entry level, grades 2-4 and library on top, with a central daylight atrium.
New bus loop off Foley Road, separate parent loop (about a 70-car queue), expanded parking, outdoor classroom and play areas; roof solar expected soon after opening.
Neighbors asked whether the traffic pattern is final; it is still being worked.

Construction manager at risk chosen by October 2026; design development by year end; early packages as early as March 2027.
School opens fall 2029; site work closes out summer 2030.

Christopher Eberly and John Lemieux of Vertex (owner's project manager); LPA architects.

The School Committee held a project forum on 2026-06-09 (2026-06-09 - School Committee Richer School Project Forum).
A planned in-person retiree literacy tutoring pilot at Richer School is set for January.

About 68 minutes across 9 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-13 - School Committee	1
2026-09-22 - School Committee	4
2026-07-20 - City Council	2
2026-07-13 - Finance Committee	26
2026-06-09 - School Committee Richer School Project Forum	14
2026-06-09 - School Committee Richer School Project Forum	9
2026-06-09 - School Committee Richer School Project Forum	9
2026-06-08 - City Council	1
2026-05-26 - School Committee	2

2026-10-13 - School Committee - Fontaine recently onboarded as construction manager; project included in draft district and superintendent goals.
2026-09-22 - School Committee - Retiree literacy tutoring pilot at Richer School planned for January.
2026-07-20 - City Council - School bond approved on a roll call, 10-0, one absent, after a suspension of the rules.
2026-07-13 - Finance Committee - Vertex presented budget, MSBA reimbursement and schedule; bond recommended 5-0 with a suspension request.
2026-06-09 - School Committee Richer School Project Forum - Public forum on schematic design: 950 students in a three-story, roughly 160,000 sq ft building; $162.5 million budget at about $792 per sq ft; 78.8 percent estimated MSBA reimbursement ahead of the June 24 MSBA vote; about $193 a year average tax impact for the median home.
2026-06-08 - City Council - Mayor's proposed school bond (about $160.5 million) referred to Finance and to be advertised, together with the stormwater bond.
2026-05-26 - School Committee - Superintendent: project on track for a 950-student building; special education delivery model vetted; schematic design hearing set for June 9 and MSBA vote expected June 24.