By Paul Leighton
BEVERLY — Eight years after the city was first put on notice to fix its deteriorating high school, the City Council last night approved an $80.1 million plan to build a new one.
Councilors voted 8-1 in favor the project, saying it was the city's last opportunity to take advantage of the state's commitment to pay more than half the cost.
"Pass up this opportunity, and we may never have the chance again for a very long time, if at all," Ward 6 Councilor Judith Cronin said.
The vote was a major victory for Mayor Bill Scanlon, who has pushed for the project as the only way to prevent the loss of the high school's accreditation, which he said would lead to a steep decline in property values.
Scanlon promised councilors the project would be done on time and on budget. He said he will sign a contract with the general contractor as soon as today. Construction could begin next month and is expected to take about two years.
"We are going to watch this like a hawk," Scanlon said.
The plan calls for building a new four-story high school in the lower parking lot of the current high school on Sohier Road and renovating the existing field house, auditorium and cafeteria. The state has agreed to pay 58.4 percent of the cost, or $46.8 million, leaving the city's share at $33.3 million.
Ward 3 Councilor John Burke cast the lone opposing vote. He said the City Council's budget analyst, Kathy Griffin, has written more than 30 memos saying the city can't afford to pay its share.
"We're borrowing in one swift move enough money that will cripple our ability to fund education in the future," Burke said.
Ward 5 Councilor Don Martin, who opposed the project in the past due to concerns over its affordability, voted in favor last night. But he said the resulting debt could force the city to close another elementary school, double the trash fee and put off plans for a new middle school and police/fire station for another 10 years.
"We're looking at some very tough years ahead of us, budget-wise," he said. "It's doable, but it's not going to be easy."
But other councilors said the city was lucky in these economic times to be getting an $80 million high school for $33 million. Ward 2 Councilor Wes Slate said the project is an investment in the city's future, "for a payoff down the road, an eventual, overall long-term improvement in the fabric of our community, even in the face of today's economic turmoil and uncertainties."
Last night's vote ended an odyssey that began in September 2000, when the New England Association of Schools and Colleges put the high school on warning due to the "large-scale deterioration of the building, its infrastructure and its instructional equipment."
Councilors approved a $65 million project more than two years ago, but the plan was put on hold until the Massachusetts School Building Authority determined how much the state would pay. By the time that decision was finally made last month, the overall cost had risen to more than $80 million.
Ward 6 Councilor Maureen Troubetaris said she was confident that Scanlon would make sure the project is done on time and on budget because of his experience overseeing the renovation of the city's elementary schools.
"I've seen six schools (renovated) in six years on time and on budget. No other city in the state can boast of that fact," she said. "This high school will be built on time and on budget because I have faith in this administration."
High school time line
September 2000 — New England Association of Schools and Colleges places high school on warning.
July 2002 — Architectural firm hired by city recommends building a new academic building at site of current school and renovating field house, cafeteria and auditorium.
April 2003 — City Council rejects spending $734,000 to design the project.
May 2003 — NEASC places high school on "probation," a more serious status than "warning."
July 2005 — NEASC recommends high school be terminated from membership.
September 2005 — City Council approves $3.6 million for design and pre-construction work for new high school and renovations to field house, auditorium and cafeteria.
January 2006 — NEASC calls the $3.6 million "a step toward a more comprehensive solution" but still says city has "failed to demonstrate reasonable progress resolving facilities deficiencies originally identified in the 2000 report."
February 2006 — City Council approves $65 million to build new academic wing and renovate common areas. City applies for state assistance to pay for project.
October 2006 — NEASC votes to keep high school on probation rather than terminate its accreditation.
November 2008 — Massachusetts School Building Authority agrees to pay 58.4 percent of $80.1 million project.
December 2008 — City Council approves $80.1 million project.
