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    • Feasibility study funding for Dighton Elementary School approved
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    Feasibility study funding for Dighton Elementary School approved

    Online Niel Posted on

    DIGHTON – A contentious mandate article requesting funding for a study on the feasibility of repairing or building a new one Dighton Elementary School past – with a razor-thin edge – to Dighton Special Town Meeting.

    “I am overjoyed. This is a win for students, staff and their families. I am so grateful to the city of Dighton for putting their trust in us to take this step,” said Bill Runey, superintendent for the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District, after the Nov. 14 meeting.

    Just under 100 voters attended the Dighton Town meeting. It was a close, razor-thin vote. A two-thirds vote was required to authorize funding and the study. Of the 97 votes cast, 68 voted “yes” to the study, and 29 voted “no” barely meeting approval.

    What is the study for?

    This feasibility study will determine all costing options for either repairing, refurbishing and/or extending the 70+ year old primary school building or building a brand new modern building.

    The study is part of a large process mandated by Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), with the express purpose of having the state pay a portion of the construction costs, up to 60%, for any option the district may obtain for undersized and deficient Dighton Elementary School.

    “This goes far beyond maintenance and upkeep. The building is not as secure as it should be. It’s not a 21St learning environment of the century. Our kids deserve better,” Runey said when she made a brief presentation at Town Meeting.

    How much money was approved?

    The original warrant article called for $1.36 million from the city’s reserve accounts.

    This amount was reduced to $1.2 million based on the research and recommendations of the Finance Committee.

    Runey stated that when he heard about the reduction, he was not going to fight or debate it. He and the School Building Committee were happy to get what they got.

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    The city will get the most money back

    More than half of the $1.2 million funding request will be reimbursed by the state — 55.6 percent of the total, to be exact, meaning the city is investing just $532,800 over the long term.

    The rest will be repaid upon completion of the 18- to 24-month feasibility study, whether the city votes to do something with the information or not.

    No money and other things to worry about

    Opponents of the warrant article raised concerns about numerous other costs facing the city.

    Recently, the city rejected two debt exclusions on Election Day to pay for both the new Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School building and recent renovations to the Bristol County Agricultural High School.

    Former Selectman Nancy Goulart reminded voters that this means the town will pay for those costs through more cuts to town services. “There is no way to get out of those bond payments, even if I didn’t vote for them.”

    Goulart added, “We have to focus on the city’s overall financial position,” and it doesn’t do the city any good to do this study if “we don’t have the money to do anything.”

    Resident William Moore agreed, calling the study “a waste of money” because a debt exclusion would likely be required for any funding for Dighton Elementary School repairs or new construction, and as evidenced by recent Election Day votes, the city probably won’t vote for one.

    “Times are hard. We need to look at other options and other space,” said Finance Committee member Doug White, who opposed funding the school, noting the committee’s recommendation was not unanimous.

    White recommended annexing space in other schools in the district for elementary school classes to combat overcrowding issues. He added that he doesn’t see much point in a feasibility study when the money saved in the city’s accounts could be used for actual school repairs.

    It should have happened a long time ago

    Supporters of the study who spoke during the town meeting said it would be a disservice to delay it any longer.

    “This is not a matter of needs and wants. This needs to happen by now,” said Allisha Wilson, referring to “state of disrepair” elementary school also faces the potential for litigation against the school district and the city if something happens to a student that is related to the structural condition of the school. “If something doesn’t happen now, the city will pay regardless.”

    ADA Coordinator for Dighton Jonathan Gale said the building is “almost 100 percent non-compliant under current standards” with accessibility and the ADA and “is too cost prohibitive” and structurally not feasible to retrofit the entire building.

    Gale adds that with all the asbestos and lead still inside the building’s infrastructure, “one pipe bursting and causing water damage” is all it will take to shut down the entire school.

    School Building Committee member and civil engineer Robert Perry said “these are not cosmetic fixes” that can be fixed. He added that the study will give residents “an informed decision about the known and unknown information.”

    Former Selectman Leonard Hull said “we’re not voting to build here. We just want to create a plan.” He added that with all the ADA code violations and structural damage concerns the school currently faces, “the bare minimum is not serving our kids here.”

    David Araujo said he voted in favor of the feasibility study. “This school is over 70 years old. We got our money’s worth.” He added that the study that leads to the state paying for much of the future repair and construction costs is “fiscal responsibility” and “this is the beginning of something that probably should have started 10-15 years ago.”

    now what?

    Runey said a request for proposal (RFP) should be issued for a design and architecture firm. That likely won’t happen until next year, after the MSBA formally approves Dighton Elementary School for the feasibility phase of the entire process, which required this town meeting vote.

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