South Shore Tech School Committee Approves Regional Agreement Amendment

Four-year rolling average for debt calculation aims to streamline financing for potential new school

HANOVER, MA - August 19 - The school committee voted Monday to accept an amendment to the regional agreement, focusing on a four-year rolling average to calculate debt for a potential new school building project. The amendment will now be sent to Select Boards for consideration at upcoming town meetings.

Superintendent Dr. Tom Hickey, presenting the amendment, explained the key changes. "The focus of the changes has to do with making this a four-year rolling average to calculate debt," he said. This approach aims to provide a more stable and equitable method for determining each town's financial responsibility.

The amendment introduces two major categories of changes. First, it moves all communities to a four-year rolling average for debt calculation, starting in the second year of borrowing. The first year will retain the existing three-year look-back method.

Second, it addresses Marshfield's integration into the district, what Hickey calls "Marshfield's on-ramp." This process will take until fiscal year 2033 when Marshfield will have four years of having four grades of students in the building.

"We're trying to do calculations that allow for the arrival of a new community, while at the same time building something for the long haul, which is a four-year rolling average," Hickey explained.

The potential new school project, if approved, would see shovels in the ground by late spring 2026. Hickey outlined the borrowing timeline: "We're going to borrow a little bit of money and pay interest in fiscal 26. That's about $750,000 at last count, divided between the towns."

He added that in fiscal year 2027, they would borrow 60 percent, and in fiscal year 2028, 90 percent of the project cost.

Committee members raised questions about the implications of the amendment, particularly regarding future additions to the district. Dan Salvucci from Whitman noted, "When the school is built and finished and the kids are in it, there could be a big fluctuation of other towns. It would open up a lot more space for any other town that would like to join us."

Hickey acknowledged this possibility, stating that future school committees would have the authority to adjust admissions policies if needed. He also mentioned the potential for accepting non-resident students in the future, depending on demand and budget constraints.

Joe Zambello of Marshfield raised concerns about fairness to the original nine communities if new towns join after significant investments have been made. "There has to be a buy-in amount," he argued. "This is a brand new school that nine communities have funded."

Hickey agreed, suggesting that future calculations would need to consider both stabilization funds and what current towns have already paid. "We might look at that plus what our towns have paid," he said, emphasizing the need for equitable solutions.

The committee also discussed Marshfield's current status, with Hickey assuring that "Marshfield is in with both feet, and they're a full voting member."

Following the discussion, the committee voted to approve the amendment. The document will now be sent to the respective select boards for consideration at upcoming special town meetings scheduled between Oct. 7 and Dec. 16.

If six communities pass this amendment and provide certified results from town clerks, the information will be forwarded to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for review by the commissioner.