South Shore Tech Previews $283M Building Plan, Adding Plumbing and Vet Science Program
Whitman officials discuss potential impact on town's enrollment share and debt obligations
WHITMAN, MA - June 4 - South Shore Technical High School is moving forward with plans for a new $283 million building project, aiming to increase capacity and modernize facilities. The expansion includes the addition of veterinary science and plumbing programs to meet labor market demands.
Tom Hickey, Superintendent of South Shore Tech, presented an update on the project to the Whitman Board of Selectmen on Jun 4. The school is currently in the schematic design phase, which must be completed by mid-August.
"We've got to have it done by mid-August. And then the project team finalizes it, turns it into MSBA at the end of August," Hickey said.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors is expected to approve the project on Oct. 30. Following approval, a district-wide ballot question will be held on Jan. 25 for voters in all nine member communities to decide on the project.
Hickey emphasized the need for the expansion, noting that the current building, constructed in 1962, is overcrowded. The school, built for 600 students, currently houses 678.
The new facility will be located on the back part of the school's property, with plans for opening in the 2028-29 school year. The design includes three floors, with vocational programs on the first floor, classrooms and some vocational programs on the second floor, and the electrical program on the third floor.
Hickey stressed the importance of efficiency in the design, saying, "I do not want this school design to be on the cover of Architectural Digest. I would like it on the cover of Anti-Tax Monthly or something like that."
The School Committee is also working on amending its regional agreement to adjust how debt is apportioned among member communities. The proposed change would move from a fixed debt share to a four-year rolling average based on enrollment.
"If we didn't change this regional agreement, my projection would be that Marshfield, at some point, that TBD would become 15 or 16 percent. We would give a 15 or 16 percent haircut to all of those percentages," Hickey explained.
In other business, the Whitman Select Board approved a request from Fire Chief Timothy Clancy to increase ambulance service rates. The increases are described as marginal and are expected to be absorbed by insurance companies.
"As you can see, we have marginal increases on this. There's nothing sky high on this," Clancy said. "The increases aren't going to be detrimental to anybody. They'll be absorbed by the ambulance company."
Clancy noted that Medicare and Medicaid rates will remain unchanged, as these programs pay fixed amounts regardless of the town's rates.
The board also discussed a proposal to increase demand fees for late tax payments. After debate, they settled on a $5 increase, from $15 to $20, instead of the initially proposed $10 increase.
Board member Laura Howe abstained from the vote, expressing concern about the impact on residents struggling financially. "These more come out of people's pockets that are having a hard time, and that doesn't sit well with me," Howe said.
The meeting concluded with Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter announcing progress in hiring a new town accountant and plans for a potential Red Cross blood drive.