Written by Lakeville Voters to Revisit $288M Old Colony Building Project This June
LAKEVILLE MA — The debate over the future of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School is returning to the ballot. On Wednesday, April 22, the District School Committee voted unanimously to hold a revote on the proposed $288 million building project, scheduled for June 20.
School Committee Chair Nancy Souza emphasized that the committee felt a second look was necessary to ensure a broader segment of the community has a say in the school’s future.
“We are the voice of our students, and we just feel that it’s important enough and a big enough project that we need to reach out to as many people as we can,” Souza said.
The Case for a New Campus
The push for a new facility stems from significant issues with the current, aging infrastructure. According to school officials, the building currently:
- Fails to meet state space requirements.
- Lacks accessible bathrooms (ADA compliance).
- Requires roughly $134 million in immediate repairs and infrastructural updates just to maintain current operations.
The Financial Breakdown
The project carries a heavy price tag, but it comes with substantial state support. The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has offered a grant to cover $129 million. This leaves the district’s member towns responsible for the remaining $159 million.
| Total Project Cost | MSBA Grant | Member Town Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| $288 Million | $129 Million | $159 Million |
Overcoming the Previous Defeat
This second vote comes after a decisive “no” from the district in November. During the initial vote, the proposal was defeated by a margin of 3,112 to 1,923, with Mattapoisett being the only town to approve the measure.
In Lakeville, the margin was much tighter: the project failed by just 54 votes (478 against to 424 in favor).
What This Means for Your Wallet
While the estimated tax impact for the average Lakeville homeowner was previously cited at $425.34, Town Administrator Andrew Sukeforth warns that this figure is now outdated.
Residents looking for the most current financial data should attend the Lakeville Select Board meeting on April 28, where new figures and project details will be presented to the public ahead of the June vote.
