School Committee Richer School Project Forum - June 9, 2026

The Marlborough School Committee held a forum on June 9, 2026, to discuss the Richer School Project, a major capital improvement initiative aimed at constructing a new elementary school building to accommodate approximately 950 students. The meeting featured presentations from the superintendent, the owner's project manager (Vertex), and the architectural firm (Lamar Pagano Architects), detailing the design, site plan, and budget. The project is currently at 30% design completion with a total estimated cost of $162.5 million, including contingencies, with anticipated state reimbursement of approximately 78.8% through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The committee also addressed related infrastructure concerns, such as stormwater mitigation, which will be managed as a separate Department of Public Works project but coordinated with the school construction. The project schedule aims for construction to begin in fall 2026 and complete by the end of the 2029-2030 school year. The forum included public and committee member questions about traffic flow, solar infrastructure planning, acoustics in multi-use spaces, and playground design. The project still requires MSBA approval expected on June 24, 2026, after which the city council will consider bond approval for funding. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn and thanks to all participants.