AMHERST — The Select Board is supporting a Proposition 2 ½ debt-exclusion override for the construction of a new elementary school building which is on the Nov. 8 ballot.
The Select Board recently voted unanimously to endorse passage of Question 5, which would authorize the town to go beyond the spending limits imposed by the state law.
The $67.2 million project would result in two, 375-student elementary schools at the Wildwood School on Strong Street.
The board cited several reasons for its support, including annual recommendations for the superintendent to pursue funding for a project, ongoing discussions of the school and other building projects, including an expanded and renovated Jones Library and new fire station and Department of Public Works headquarters, the good financial management exhibited by the town and the anticipated savings of $1.25 million on a new roof for Fort River School, which would close when the new school opens, and $400,000 for a boiler at Wildwood.
Current estimates have the Massachusetts School Building Authority providing $34.45 million for the project, with Amherst funding approximately $32.75 million.
The actual spending would have to be approved by a two-thirds vote at fall Town Meeting, which begins Nov. 14.
Two parent-led groups have taken sides on the project. Supporters organized as Building Opportunity for Learning and Diversity, and observed that having all children in grades 2 to 6 taught in one building would provide equity for all those students.
Opponents formed Save Amherst’s Small Schools, and voiced concerns about losing the neighborhood schools.
The Finance Committee, which is not taking a position on the school project, this week released documents related to it and the other three buidling projects. These can be viewed at
http://www.amherstma.gov/2290/Capital-Building-Project-Summaries
Stephen Braun, vice chairman of the committee, said in an email that it is providing financial information, but otherwise leaving it to voters to decide whether they want to support the project or not.
“In June, the Finance Committee decided that it would not make a recommendation to voters before the townwide vote on the debt exclusion override,” Braun said.
With interest payments estimated at $21.29 million, the full cost to the town would be $54 million, based on a 5 percent interest rate for a 25-year bond.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
