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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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How much will it cost?Current project estimates for a renovation only project is $330 million. The add/reno options range from $271 million to $313 million. The new construction options are estimated to be $311 million to $347 million. These figures are estimates based on current options being considered.
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How long will it take?The timing will differentiate between options. Once a design is selected and we complete construction documents, construction is estimated to be 3 - 4 years.
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Where will it be located?The options currently being evaluated are all on the existing high school property.
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Why are we doing this now?The current high school was completed in 1971 and many of the mechancial, electrical, fire protection systems are in need of replacement. Please refer to the Existing Conditions reports included in the Project Design & Documents tab on the project website.
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When would construction start?The start of construction is targeted for Fall 2026.
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Is there a formal timeline showing the duration of the project?Yes, refer to the Schedule tab on the project website.
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When is the estimated completion date of the new BHS?Completion of the new school is targeted for completion in 2029 or 2030 pending approval by the Town. Construction documents will be prepared after Town approval, this will take approximately one year to complete. Construction is expected to be complete within 3-4 years. The earliest completion date is Fall 2029.
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What is an educational plan?An educational plan (ed plan) is a forward-looking document used by a school district to identify the structural and academic strengths, areas needing improvement, and long-term goals. The superintendent of Burlington Public Schools, Dr. Eric Conti, guided the Educational Planning process, with lots of input from the Burlington High School administration, faculty, and staff, along with the many students, parents/caregivers, school committee, and community members who contributed to the district’s strategic and master plans.
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How can I learn more?The project website is populated with all documentation, reports, videos and other presentations that detail the project.
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Who is involved? Can we add input from the community?The project team is comprised of the School Building Committee, an Owner’s Project Manager, and a Designer. Given the community nature of a high school building project, many key stakeholders are included in the process of determining a preferred building solution. These stakeholders include school administration, teachers, parents, students, the broader public and local community leaders as well as Town boards including Ways & Means, Planning Board and the Conservation Commission to name a few.
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How is the estimated cost being determined?Eventually, the cost estimate will be based on a detailed design. For now, professional estimators have provided us with total estimated costs based on a rough per-square-foot cost. That number is multiplied by the estimated square feet needed to meet the Educational Program of the school. The estimated per-square-foot cost is based on other recent school construction projects in the metro Boston area, adjusted for cost escalation/inflation. The Educational Program and space required to meet that program were developed by the project team, working with the school administration, and approved by the School Committee.
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How will the town pay for this project?Currently the assumption per the guidance of the Town of Burlington Ways & Means Committee is the funding for the project will be a debt exclusion.
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How does this project compare to the construction of local schools?The cost of this project is in line with the construction and total cost of other school projects in the metro Boston area, once adjusted for size, local building code, and cost escalation/inflation.
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What is a debt exclusion vote?Under the State’s Proposition 2 ½ law, municipalities are limited to an annual property tax increase of 2.5%. They can go beyond that limit if one of two things occur: An operating override or a debt exclusion. A debt exclusion allows a municipality to temporarily raise its property tax rate to pay debt service costs on municipal bonds associated with a large capital project. This increase can only be applied through the maturity of the bond and reverts once fully paid down. An operating override is a permanent increase in the tax levy over and above Proposition 2 ½ to pay for the Town’s ongoing operations.
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What is the expected impact of this project on taxpayers?Based on discussions with Town of Burlington Ways & Means Committee, property tax burden will increase by $3.34 per million dollars of project cost for the average single-family household. A $300 million project translates into ~ a $1,000 increase in taxes per single family household. This number is the mean. If your house is valued less than the mean you pay less if your house is valued more than the mean, your increase will be greater.
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Where are we in the process?We are in the Feasibility Study. This is the third phase of the building project process. The Feasibility Study has two stages: Preliminary Design Program & Preferred Schematic Report. Those two stages, defined in answers below, must be completed, submitted to, and approved by the SBC before the project can progress.
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What is the preliminary design program?The Preliminary Design Program (PDP) is the first stage of the Feasibility Study phase where the District and its team collaborate to document their educational program, generate an initial space summary, document existing conditions, establish design parameters, develop and evaluate alternatives and recommend the most cost-effective and educationally appropriate alternatives for further evaluation in the PSR phase.
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What is the design for the new BHS building project?Design options are still being evaluated and include building a new high school or an addition / renovation of the existing high school. Details of the options can be found on the project website in the Project Design & Documents tab Design Options.
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How will a design be chosen?At the end of the PSR stage, the SBC will recommend a preferred solution after careful consideration of all of the options being considered.
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What are massing studies?Massing studies are conceptual diagrams created based on the high-level requirements of a project. These studies illustrate the potential locations and dimensions of a project. Massing studies do not represent final designs, locations, or costs associated with a project.
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What is the preferred schematic report?The Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) is the second stage of the Feasibility Study phase where the District and its team collaborate to refine their educational program and space summary, further develop and evaluate alternatives, and recommend the most cost-effective and educationally appropriate solution. The SBC must receive and approve the Preliminary Design Program and the Preferred Schematic Report before a project can move into the next stage of the building process, Schematic Design.
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What is the School Building Committee?The School Building Committee (SBC) is a collaborative body comprised of Town & School staff, members of the community, and representatives from the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) and Designer teams. The SBC works hand in hand with the OPM and Architect to oversee the site selection and design of the building, provide input, and assist in managing requirements. The SBC also takes all votes necessary to advance the project.
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What is the Owner's Project Manager?An Owner's Project Manager (OPM) is a consultant firm hired by the Town through a qualifications-based selection process. Prospective OPMs submitted written proposals for evaluation. The Town then conducted formal interviews with potential candidates before a decision was made. OPM teams consist of professionals in design and construction management. The presence of an OPM on a public project of this magnitude is required. The OPM works as an extension of the group pursuing the project, in this case, the Town and the School District. The OPM represents the Town's interests through all project phases. They provide project oversight throughout its duration, from design and permitting, through construction. Other responsibilities of the OPM include, under the Town's guidance, managing project-specific communication, monitoring the budget, and tracking the project's progression.
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Who is Tappe?Tappé Architects is an award-winning full service architectural firm.
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Who is Dore + Whittier?Dore & Whittier is a New England-based design and project management firm comprised of architects, designers, educational planners, interior designers, and project managers.
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How were Dore & Whittier and Tappe chosen?The School Building Committee initiated a competitive process to hire the OPM. After an evaluation of the proposals received, the SBC interviewed several OPM firms and ultimately selected Dore+Whittier. D+W then assisted the SBC with a similar competitive process to hire a design firm. Upon receipt of proposals and interviewing firms, the SBC hired Tappe Architects.
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What is the plan for the central administration office and other non-educational programs?All of the options being evaluated will account for and include all existing non-educational programs and central administration either in existing spaces within the current high school or in a new building or addition / renovation.
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Will the project comply with environmental, wetlands, DEP, local zoning, noise ordinances, traffic, and fire safety regulations?Yes. The project is required to comply with all environmental, wetlands, DEP, local zoning, noise ordinances, traffic, fire safety regulations and accessibility requirements.
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