Millis submitted a preferred schematic report for the Millis Middle-High School to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and the MSBAFacilities Assessment Subcommittee (FAS) provided a positive evaluation, Select Board members reported at the March 31 meeting.

The schematic and the districteducational plan are the basis for MSBA consideration. The FAS "was supportive of the project's direction and noted the strong development of the educational plan," the board said. The MSBA is scheduled to vote on whether to move the project forward on April 30.

Why it matters: MSBA approval is a key gateway to state reimbursement for large school building projects. Until the MSBA awards a reimbursement percentage and the town finalizes its submission in November, Millis does not have a firm town cost. Project team and board documents discussed at the meeting put the total project price in the vicinity of $127 million and used a conservative estimate of the townshare in the planning materials.

What the meeting established
- The project team submitted the preferred schematic and met with MSBA staff and the FAS. The subcommittee praised the educational plan, which MSBA uses to judge whether a project supports a well-defined instructional program.
- Select Board materials and the Capital Planning Committee summary referred to a project cost figure of about $127,000,000 and showed a town-cost snapshot using a lower-end reimbursement assumption. The boardsummary included a tentative town share figure of approximately $82,700,000 under the lower-end subsidy scenario cited in the committee's packet.
- Presenters cautioned that the reimbursement percentage and final costs will change through summer price updates and a final November submission. The board noted that price modifications, tariff impacts and cost containment measures between now and the final submission could change the net town obligation.

What remains uncertain: The MSBA reimbursement percentage is not final. At the meeting speakers referenced a wide range of possible reimbursement levels in public remarks; the project team will use the state-determined reimbursement to produce a final town estimate before the November town vote. The district and consultants said they expect the MSBAvote on April 30 to be the next major milestone.

Background: The MSBA process requires a district to demonstrate an educational program and meet MSBA standards for cost, need and deliverables; the board said Millis' submission followed that structure and is now in the state review phase. The town and the school building committee will continue outreach and refine cost estimates as MSBA feedback arrives.

Looking ahead: The project team plans further price refinement through late summer and will provide a final budget figure before the town's November submission and vote.