Frequently Asked Questions

• Estimated Project Cost: $295 million
• Estimated Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Reimbursement: $80 million
• Estimated Belmont Cost: $215 million

Based upon the completed Feasibility Study, the District and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) establish and document the project scope, budget, schedule, and MSBA financial participation. The MSBA will fund 40.66% of eligible project costs. On November 6th, voters will decide whether to accept the MSBA's $80 million in funding towards the total project costs of $295,159,189 and approve a debt exclusion to fund the balance of the project, an amount for which Belmont's taxpayers will be responsible. If the town votes in favor of the debt exclusion, the project will move ahead.

The MSBA has approved a reimbursement rate of 40.66% of eligible costs for the Project. The total reimbursement amount covered by the MSBA for the Belmont High School Project is confirmed at a cap of $80.64 million.

Submitting a Statement of Interest (SOI) was the critical first step in the MSBA's program to partially fund the construction, renovation, addition, or repair of municipally or regionally owned school facilities located in cities, towns, and regional school districts. The SOI submitted every year by Belmont during the past 10 years allowed Belmont to inform the MSBA about deficiencies that exist in the High School facility and how those deficiencies inhibit the delivery of Belmont's educational program. In 2016, the MSBA invited Belmont into the first phase of their grant program. The MSBA's grant program is a non-entitlement, competitive program, and grants are distributed by the MSBA Board of Directors based on need and urgency, as expressed by the District and validated by the MSBA. Moving forward in the MSBA's grant program requires continued collaboration between Belmont and the MSBA.

Based on the project cost estimates, the real estate tax burden to Belmont's homeowners, based on a 30-year debt exclusion, will be $184 per $100,000 of assessed home value.

The town voted November 6, 2018.

In May of 2016, Town Meeting approved $1,750,000 for the Feasibility Study. 40.66% of the eligible costs of the study will be reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). These funds (40.66% of eligible expenses) also cover payment of the OPM (Owner's Project Manager), development of a Schematic Design by the Architect/Designer, and an environmental and site investigation of the Belmont High School property.

For a detailed description of the unique factors of the BHSBC Project, please view Chairman Bill Lovallo’s meeting notes from the January 23rd BHSBC meeting (PDF).

Project costs at this stage are based primarily on a formula for cost/square footage. Current square footage costs are consistent with other high school building projects in the Boston area, increased by an escalation cost for 2020 construction dollars. The BHSBP number is currently $532 per square foot for construction costs.

View detailed information on project costs for Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) building projects.

The Project is now in the final section of the Schematic Design Phase. During this phase, the District and the BHSBC collaborate with the MSBA to develop a robust schematic design to more fully establish the scope, budget, and schedule for the project. In addition, during this phase, approval for multiple aspects of the project must be secured by the MSBA board and approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must be secured for the delivery of Belmont's special education program. Lastly, the project must obtain local authorization and financial support.

If Belmont voters do not vote to fund the 7 through 12 school on November 6th, Belmont will not be eligible to receive the $80.64 million in state aid offered by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). While the MSBA will spend the days following the failed vote reviewing options with the Town, the Town will be required to withdraw from the MSBA Grant program if it does not come up with the funding. If Belmont chooses to request to re-enter the Grant program, it will be required to submit a new Statement of Interest and await a second invitation from the MSBA to enter the Feasibility Study Phase of the MSBA's process. An invitation that took more than ten years for the initial round.

In May of 2016, the Town Meeting approved $1,750,000 for the Feasibility Study. Approximately 36% of the eligible costs will be reimbursed by the MSBA. These funds cover payment of the OPM (Owner's Project Manager), development of a Schematic Design by the Architect/Designer, and an environmental and site investigation of the Belmont High School property.

The MSBA’s schedule to complete the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design phases and secure funding for the full project must be completed by May 2019. The Belmont High School Building Committee is scheduling to meet that deadline with a vote in November 2018 or in April 2019.  

The total project cost estimate, including construction costs, will be developed during the Feasibility Study. A project budget will be established after decisions are made regarding grade configurations, site/location, construction type, and design elements.