By Geena Monahan
For the North Star Reporter
Close to 100 North Attleborough residents filled the high school auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 13, to attend the seventh community forum on the new high school proposal.
Superintendent John Antonucci addressed the crowd to deliver a clear message: this is North Attleborough’s moment, it’s “one bite at the apple”, to receive $100 million in funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to construct a new high school.
“Our kids will simply fall behind schools that are already doing this; they’re not going to get the same opportunities that other communities have.” Antonucci said. “This is our moment with MSBA. They’ve already made a significant commitment to North Attleborough and they want winners. If this community shows they don’t want to invest in schools, it’s highly unlikely we will ever get a chance again to build a new building.”
Joining Antonucci were Assistant Superintendent Michelle McKeon, Principal Peter Haviland, Project Director Tim Bonfati and Project Manager Eric Rubin of Owner’s Project Management. Architect Rob Fitzgerald and Project Executive Brad Dore, both of Dore and Whittier, were also in attendance.
Of special note was the introduction of the recently selected construction manager from Consigli Construction, Steve Johnson.
Johnson showed excitement for being chosen to lead construction of the project, citing his family’s deep, multi-generational North Attleborough roots and Consigli’s experience building high schools, with over 60 K-12 projects completed in Massachusetts alone.
“This is more than just another project for me, this is something I’m excited about and the team’s excited about,” Johnson said. “I live less than a mile from here, and will be here whenever anything is needed.”
A new six-minute-long video was unveiled, showcasing what the layout of the 226,750 square foot new high school might look like, outlining learning spaces located within the three-story building and what the overall improvements to the entire complex will be.
If approved, the new high school would be built south of the current high school, with the old high school to be eventually demolished and turned into all-purpose fields. Highlights from the video were:
- Improved building functionality to provide private and public spaces for community use.
- Reduced traffic congestion through the construction of separate high school and middle school entrances.
- Interdisciplinary neighborhoods that promote community and collaboration between students, with special education spread throughout.
- Hub spaces to focus on jobs of the future: advanced manufacturing, robotics, engineering, digital art, drama and a TV studio.
- A second-floor level for college and career counseling and a media center.
- Increased safety and security measures at the front of the school.
The video also focused on why constructing a new school, as opposed to renovations, was chosen by the MSBA, stating that a repair option would cost $107 million while also disrupting classrooms and not adding much square footage.
A renovation and addition option would cost more than $291 million dollars and take four to five years to complete, taking the cafeteria and gymnasium offline for large portions of the construction process. Neither of these options would give back the one-third project cost reimbursement from the MSBA that the new build option provides.
Fitzgerald followed up the video with an update on concerns about current water and flooding issues at the complex. A plan to install 10 underground stormwater infiltration systems is in place, which will correct all current issues and address drainage for athletic fields.
McKeon also came forward to talk about the educational plan that was submitted as part of this process, a plan that the MSBA deemed “a model for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” Included in this plan is a five-year vision of teacher training to transform how students are able to learn.
“Kids need to be engaged and not just sitting in a classroom and reciting information back,” McKeon said. “We thought about things like becoming effective problem-solvers, becoming effective communicators, collaborating and being a lifelong learner. Those are skills we believe all students will be equipped with when leaving North Attleborough High School and will lead to successful careers of the future.”
The floor was opened to a public comment session at the end, where residents raised questions about building maintenance and accessibility. Antonucci assured the crowd that his administration is forward-thinking and dedicated to making sure this major investment is protected, and that the new building would be fully ADA compliant, unlike the current high school.
Antonucci also answered questions addressing concerns about the contract, stating that this is a “not to exceed contract,” and that the $190 million residents are voting on includes “absolutely everything.”
Audrey Britton, who has lived in North Attleborough for 50 years, was one of many residents who came forward in support of moving this project forward.
“I’m asking the citizens now who, like me back in 1975, said I’m going to support this school and support this town, please stay on board,” Britton said. “We owe it to the kids of this generation and the very next group of the new high school.”
If the vote passes at a special town election in early June 2025, construction on a new high school is slated to begin the following year. The building would be ready for students by 2028, and finished in full by 2029.
Residents looking for more information on the new high school proposal, to view the above-mentioned video or to find out about upcoming meetings and forums can visit naschools.net and click the “high school building project” tab on the homepage.
