BMR School Building Vote & Cost Estimates Coming August 20

The BMRSD school building project continues to take shape, and residents of Blackstone and Millville have important opportunities to stay informed and engaged.

On August 20, 2025, the School Building Committee (SBC) will vote to submit the Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), with a final submission deadline of August 28. If approved by the MSBA, the project will move to the next phase when the MSBA Board meets in October 2025 to review the district’s preferred schematic design.

We’ve been following this project closely since earlier this year. At the public hearing held on June 12, the School Committee officially voted to pursue a 7–12 grade alignment for the proposed building.

We reached out to Tara Larkin, Chair of the SBC and Vice Chair of the BMRSD School Committee, for details. She emphasized that while updated cost estimates will be presented, the vote’s main focus is on choosing the option that best meets the district’s educational program. Cost is one factor, but not the most critical at this step in the process.

Public attendance is welcome at the August 20 meeting. It’s a chance to hear firsthand how the project is developing and what it may mean for families, staff, and taxpayers across both towns. The voting itself and related discussion will be limited to SBC members.

What Is the Preferred Schematic Report?

The PSR summarizes the district’s preferred option for a new or renovated school building and includes an updated cost estimate, educational goals, and conceptual designs. Submitting this report to the MSBA is a major milestone in the project’s development.

What About the Cost?

We’ve also seen that many residents are asking fair questions about how much this project might cost—and how it could affect local taxpayers.

At the June 12 public hearing, the School Building Committee shared very early, high-level estimates based on square footage assumptions. These included a ballpark of $170 million for a 6–12 configuration and $120 million for a 9–12 configuration. But as project architect Greg Smolley of DRA noted at that meeting: “The discussion on dollars is almost superfluous at this point… Grade alignment drives enrollment, drives programming, and drives design. Once we have that, we can talk real numbers.”

Since the School Committee voted that same night to pursue a 7–12 configuration, the design team has been refining its approach—and updated estimates are expected soon.

Tara Larkin confirmed that,

At our next meeting on August 20, we will have cost estimates for the project.

While up to 58% of eligible costs may be reimbursed through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), there are limitations. Some items—like site constraints, demolition, or community-requested enhancements—may fall outside of what the MSBA covers. The full financial picture will come into clearer focus as the design process advances and the district works to share those details with the public.

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Why It Matters

The BMRSD school building project could lead to significant improvements in educational space, energy efficiency, accessibility, and long-term maintenance. But big changes often raise big questions—especially about cost. That’s why the committee is working to make the process more transparent.

As Tara Larkin shared with us: “We will soon be discussing meetings and events for the School Building Committee to hold to get information out to our community to keep them informed leading up to the town votes for the project.”

How Can the Public Stay Informed?

The best way to follow along is by reviewing the official minutes posted online at the School Building Committee page on the BMRSD website. These minutes are typically approved at the next meeting and posted within a day or two.

At this time, meeting videos are not available online, so reviewing minutes and attending meetings in person are the most effective ways to stay up to date.

Residents are also encouraged to ask questions and attend upcoming events once announced, particularly as the project nears future town vote phases.

Key Documents & Resources

• BMRSd School Building Project Hub
• 2020 Facilities Assessment
• DRA Application
• School Building Committee Minutes – May 28, 2025 with Presentation
• An Update from the Blackstone Millville Regional School District Capital Planning Committee
• MSBA Project Pipeline
• School Building Committee Members
• School Committee Members

What’s Next?

• August 20, 2025: Action item – vote to submit the Preferred Schematic Report (PSR)
• August 28, 2025: Deadline to submit PSR to MSBA
• October 2025: BMRSD will appear before the MSBA Board for Preferred Schematic Design authorization

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At Small Town Post, we’re here to help make big issues understandable for everyday residents. Whether you’re raising kids, paying taxes, or just care about your community’s future, this project affects you. We’ll continue following this story—and if you have questions, stories, or local news to share, send us a message anytime. And don’t forget to follow Small Town Post on Facebook for regular updates.