Marshfield Considers $276 Million Vocational School Project, New Funding Formula

Town officials review plans for expanded South Shore Vocational Technical High School, discuss shift to four-year enrollment average for cost distribution

MARSHFIELD, MA - October 21 - Marshfield officials are reviewing plans for a new South Shore Vocational Technical High School building, estimated to cost $276 million, as part of a larger discussion on changes to the school's funding formula and Marshfield's recent membership in the district.

The project, if approved, would expand the school's capacity to 900 students and add new programs in plumbing and veterinary science. The current facility, built in 1962, houses 686 students from nine towns, with an additional 75 to 100 students on a waiting list.

Town Administrator Michael Maresco presented an overview of the proposed changes to the Select Board on Monday, Oct. 21. The most significant alteration involves shifting capital debt from a three-year fixed to a four-year rolling average for calculating each town's share of costs.

"The biggest thing to keep in mind is that it's going to be a four-year rolling adjustable versus the three-year," Maresco explained.

This change aims to better reflect student enrollment patterns and distribute costs more equitably among member towns. For Marshfield, which recently joined the district, the new formula would take effect in fiscal year 2033.

"Marshfield's four-year rolling average formula starts in FY33 because it's the first fiscal year where we can calculate enrollment share with four grades of the students for four years, similar to other towns," Maresco said.

The proposed $276 million project cost includes an estimated state grant of $111 million, leaving a local share of $165 million plus interest to be covered by the nine member towns. The state is expected to reimburse about 61% of eligible costs, or 40% of actual costs.

Select Board member Eric Kelley expressed concerns about the potential financial impact on Marshfield, given the enrollment-based funding model.

"This could be expensive for Marshfield if we're basing it on that," Kelley said. "If Marshfield sends well more than what we anticipate for students versus the other communities, Marshfield could be picking up a large chunk of the expense here over time."

Maresco noted that Marshfield currently has 37 students enrolled at the vocational school. He emphasized that as a member of the district, Marshfield would no longer face limitations on the number of students it can send to the school.

"Before when you were a non-member, you were held to whatever seats were available after the member communities got their seats," Maresco explained.

The town is also contributing to a stabilization fund for the school, paying about $39,000 annually for the next 10 years, totaling approximately $392,000.

Marshfield residents will have two opportunities to vote on matters related to the vocational school. On Dec. 16, a special town meeting will consider approving the amended South Shore Regional Vocational School District agreement, which includes the shift to the four-year rolling average.

A district-wide vote on the building project is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2025. The project requires approval from a majority of the member towns to move forward.

Select Board Chair Lynne Fidler emphasized the need for more information before making decisions.

"We need as much information as we can get," Fidler said.

The board expects to receive more detailed information from South Shore Vocational Technical School Superintendent Thomas Hickey at their Nov. 4 meeting.

If approved, construction on the new school building could begin as early as fiscal year 2026, with short-term borrowing planned for fiscal years 2026 to 2029 to limit the immediate financial impact on member towns. Long-term bonding for the project would likely start in fiscal year 2030, with town shares based on level debt payments over 30 years, assessed based on the language in the Regional Agreement.