The Margaret A. Neary School Building Committee voted unanimously Thursday to approve the schematic design submission for the school project and to authorize Skanska USA Building to submit the materials to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on behalf of the district.

Committee Chair Jason moved the schematic-design approval, reading the motion aloud: “I will move that the Margaret A. Neary School Building Committee vote to approve the schematic design submission and authorize Skanska USA Building as owner's project manager to submit to the MSBA on behalf of the district.” The motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with all six members present voting aye.

The vote is the meeting’s primary action because it advances the district’s filing with the MSBA, a state agency that evaluates school construction reimbursements and project eligibility. Committee members did not amend the submission at the meeting; discussion focused on next steps for public messaging rather than changes to the schematic documents.

Separately, the committee unanimously authorized the finance and communications subcommittee chairs to coordinate a project update release describing the latest schematic design and estimated project funding. According to the committee’s direction, the chairs will draft the release and circulate it to the full committee; minor edits (typos, grammar) may be handled by Jim Burrows without reconvening the committee, while any substantive objections to the numbers or text would trigger a reconvened meeting for further review.

Committee members also approved the minutes from the Feb. 13, 2025 meeting by unanimous roll call. The meeting convened at 8:42 a.m. and adjourned at 8:51 a.m.

Kathy noted that the Town’s select board will discuss the related NHERI project on Tuesday, and encouraged anyone who wants to comment on the project numbers to use that forum if they prefer.

Votes at a glance
• Approval of Feb. 13, 2025 meeting minutes — approved, roll-call: Kathy (aye), Mark (aye), Chris (aye), Denise (aye), Roger (aye), Andrew (aye). Outcome: approved.
• Approval of schematic design submission and authorization for Skanska USA Building to submit to MSBA — approved, roll-call: Kathy (aye), Mark (aye), Chris (aye), Denise (aye), Roger (aye), Andrew (aye). Outcome: approved.
• Authorization for finance and communications chairs to prepare and issue a project update release based on the latest schematic design and estimated funding — approved, roll-call: Kathy (aye), Mark (aye), Chris (aye), Denise (aye), Roger (aye), Andrew (aye). Outcome: approved.
• Motion to adjourn — approved, roll-call unanimous.

No formal amendments or budget votes were taken during this meeting. The committee said it will set future meeting dates after the project team completes filings and as communication planning requires.