South Shore Tech School Building On Track for 2028 Opening
HANOVER – December 17, 2025 – The South Shore Technical School Building Committee has officially approved the 60% Construction Documents for the district’s massive $223.6 million building project. This critical milestone keeps the project on track for a spring 2024 groundbreaking and an ultimate opening in 2028. Despite rising costs in the construction market, project officials confirmed that the current estimate of $223,599,758 remains slightly under the original target budget, thanks to rigorous “value management” and design reconciliations.
The Full Story
Over the course of two consecutive monthly meetings, the South Shore Technical School Committee and its Building Committee moved aggressively to transition the new school project from the drawing board to the field. Kevin Sullivan of LeftField (the Owner’s Project Manager) and representatives from DRA (the architects) presented thousands of pages of detailed specifications that now define the school’s footprint, structural integrity, and educational programming.
A primary focus of the December meeting was the “Value Management” (VM) list—a set of optional design adjustments used to protect the budget against inflation. While some high-end finishes like specific types of shingles or certain types of flooring have been moved to the “options” list to be decided after bids come in, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Hickey emphasized that the core educational mission remains untouched. “I think you’re still getting an excellent building with the educational program intact and at the sort of quality level that everyone expects,” noted the design team.
The committee also initiated the pre-qualification process for subcontractors, specifically targeting structural steel, masonry, elevators, and electrical work. This “149A” procurement method allows the district to vet contractors for financial stability and past performance before they are permitted to bid, reducing the risk of project delays.
Logistics for the upcoming construction were also detailed. Beginning in early April 2026, the “enabling phase” will commence, focusing on the front of the school near the flag pole to create temporary parking. By June, the construction team plans to take full custody of the athletic fields to begin site preparation and foundation work.
“What I’m hearing is Suffolk is very confident that they will meet the schedule and there’s no other option. The school opens in 2028.” — Bob Mahoney, Committee Member
Why It Matters
For residents in the member towns, this project represents the single largest capital investment in the district’s history. The 60% MSBA approval is the “point of no return” that stabilizes the financial outlook before the project goes out to bid. Furthermore, the district is preparing for significant operational shifts; the loss of on-site athletic fields during construction will necessitate renting satellite facilities and increasing transportation costs.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the 60% Construction Documents submission to the MSBA.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: Roll Call Vote
Motion: To approve the issuance of $9,010,000 in General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs).
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Vote: Roll Call Vote
Motion: To appoint Robert Heywood and Robert Mello to the Pre-qualification Committee.
Outcome: Passed
Vote: Roll Call Vote
Student & Faculty Excellence
The meetings highlighted historic achievement within the Horticulture and Landscape Construction program. For the first time in Massachusetts history, the SST team placed first in the nation at the National FFA competition in Indianapolis. Jacob Francisini took first place individually in the country, and Logan Perrault took third.
Public Comment
No members of the public addressed the committees during either the November or December sessions.
What’s Next
January 2026: First reading of the revised Admissions Policy and release of the Governor’s FY27 budget numbers.
April 2026: Mobilization of construction equipment and start of temporary parking construction.
June 2026: Full site takeover and beginning of foundation work.
Source Video: South Shore Technical - Nov 19 Meeting & Dec 17 Meeting