1) The project is a necessary one. The roof, windows and building systems are at their end of their life and if not paid for as part of this project, will be paid in full by the Town in the near future. Ultimately the question we need to ask/answer is this "Is it more economical to do this now or put it off?"
2) The reimbursement rate provided by the State will not increase in these difficult economic times and may actually go down. There is no future guarantee. As the reimbursement is paid through State Sales Tax, any reduction in the State Sales Tax, would likely result in lower reimbursement rates.
3) If we do not do this now, the State will move us to the back of the line of other communities requesting similar funding, with no guarantee of ever getting an offer of reimbursement in the future.
4) The cost of the project will trend higher in the future, thereby costing us more. Construction and costs for materials are still at relatively low rates.
5) The sooner we do this, the sooner we will realize savings on school maintenance costs (heating systems etc).

1) The best way to keep our taxes low is to bring more revenue into the Town from outside sources.
2) The state of MA has one of the highest ranking education systems in the country, and Norton is one of the top districts in the State. Should the Town refuse to invest money into our school system, a negative image of our Town would be conveyed to our neighboring communities and to those looking to relocate, or start businesses here.
3) The perception of better schools will actually bring tax money into the town. People want to move into towns with good schools, even if they will not have children in the school system.
4) Businesses want to move to towns with better schools. This brings tax money into our Town.
5) The larger we are able to grow our tax base, the smaller everyone’s individual share will be.

1) Yes, it certainly is. But it is extremely important to keep in perspective that we will be getting a $1 value in upgrade for each $0.40 spent by the town.
2) Here is a different way to look at this…your taxes funded the MA School Building Authority (MSBA) to begin with. So the Town of Norton and its residents have technically already paid $18 million. And we won’t get that back if we pass on the needed improvements this year. Do we really want our share of the tax money to go to other towns? Do we really want to pay for their improvements and allow them to reap the all the benefits including keeping their taxes as low as possible, while at the same time ensuring that Norton’s taxes will increase much more than they would if we took advantage of this opportunity ???

A. Norton High was built in 1971. All of its systems are original: windows; electrical service, lighting systems; HVAC (electric heat); science labs are very outdated; classrooms, cafeteria and library have no natural light sources; incomplete ADA accessibility; locker rooms are aged, and not all on ground floor; more space is needed as there are classes held in non-instructional areas; code-compliant fire alarm is needed, and so forth.

Q. If the project does not pass, what will that mean for us/ Norton High School?

Later on, if the school district fails to approve funding for a proposed CONSTRUCTION PROJECT within the 120-day deadline, by no later than 10 business days following the failed, the school district must submit to the MSBA a plan that: (1) presents the vote results, (2) explains the school district’s understanding of the reason(s) for the failed vote, and (3) sets forth the school district’s plan to remedy the failed vote and a suggested timeline for such a remedy. The MSBA will review the plan and determine whether it can continue to set aside MSBA funds for the proposed CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. However, a failed local vote likely will result in the school district being required to submit a new Statement of Interest to the MSBA and await a second invitation from the MSBA to enter the feasibility study phase of the MSBA’s process.

The MSBA appreciates the challenges that school districts face, but the MSBA’s regulations specifically include this 120-day deadline for a local appropriation to ensure that the MSBA’s capital program funds are targeted toward projects and school districts that are ready and able to make the financial commitment and move forward in a timely manner. Given the overwhelming capital needs of school districts across the Commonwealth and the MSBA’s limited capital program funds, the MSBA cannot indefinitely tie up funds allocated for a project that lacks local support.

Q. How does the state reimbursement work for this proposed project, and at what rate do we anticipate being reimbursed?

Q. Will this potential reimbursement money be available to us in the future if this proposal does not pass at Town Meeting?

A. Reimbursement % rates have varied in the past. This is an unknown.

Q. Is Norton responsible for the entire cost of the project? If not, where will the additional funding come from?

A. No, Norton is responsible for only 46% of the Feasibility cost. The State will reimburse 54% for the Feasibility costs. We are projecting a 60% estimate for Construction costs. The Town would be responsible for approximately 40% of the Construction costs. That’s a good deal!

Q. What does this mean for each taxpayer?

A. The Town's share of the cost of the Feasibility Study (est. $275,000) will be absorbed into the regular annual town budget, most likely as part of a larger bond issue that will included the cost of a number of different town projects.  Thus it will not necessitate any increase in the tax rate beyond the normal limits imposed by Proposition 2 1/2.  However, if and when the Town votes to proceed with the actual Construction Phase of the project, its share of the total cost (approximate 40%) will necessitate the adoption of a debt exclusion, which would mean a special increase in tax bills until the debt is paid off.   An early estimate of the impact to the taxpayers for the full construction project is an increase in real estate taxes of about 3%.

Q. Do these renovations include the area around the school...for instance the track. It's in horrible shape.

A. A separate debt exclusion override question will likely be placed on the June 11th special election for repair/rework of the track.

Q. What is the tentative completion date of the project?

A. To be clear this is a repair/renovation/addition project, not a new High School.   The timeline of the construction phase will be determined through the feasibility and design process over the next six months.  It depends on the approved full scope of work.  Some items may be done immediately during the Summer of 2012, work that does not disrupt learning during the 2012-2013 school year (and during school vacation weeks), and likely a large portion will be done during the Summer of 2013.  It is hopeful that even current 9-10th grade students will realize many improvements before they graduate.    It is too early to have an accurate answer to this question however, but a construction timeline will be available prior to the May 2011 Town Meeting vote. 
 A tentative project schedule is included in the Feasibility Study presentation - click on image:  

Q. Tell me about the MSBA's reimbursement program.

A. Through its “pay-as-you-build” Progress Payment System, the MSBA reimburses districts for eligible project costs during construction. After a community enters into a Project Funding Agreement with the MSBA and submits project costs that have been incurred and paid locally, the MSBA audits the submitted invoices and reimburses the district for eligible project costs. The MSBA typically makes payment within 15 days of receiving the reimbursement request.

The major benefits to the system are:

- Communities avoid having to borrow the MSBA’s share of project costs, which reduces both the amount of debt on the local books and interest costs     related to financing.
- Communities receive the full amount of the MSBA’s share of project costs during construction and its close-out audit. No longer do they have to wait 20 years to receive their full grant.
- The MSBA is auditing projects as they are built, avoiding the many-year delay between project completion and final cost reconciliation.
Consistent, predictable payments allow communities to better manage their cash flow.

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