Interesting Information from Dr. Tantillo's Presentation

At the School Committee Meeting on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, Dr. Tantillo presented a slide show to the committee updating the committee on the proposed school building project and making recommendations. From the slides and the ensuing discussion, there were some interesting details presented. Among them:

• Duxbury is ranked 17th in wealth in the state of Massachusetts.
• Dubury ranks 277 out of 325 districts in per pupil spending.
• Duxbury's per pupil spending is $2300 below the state average.
• Not only does the model school building program save time to build, it also saves money. Norwood saved about $30MM using a model school approach.
• A year of trailers to house kids if we were to replace systems or renovate instead of build new would cost $600-700K per year.
• Dr. Tantillo says the $130MM estimate is "conservative high." The MSBA model school program limits scope creep that drives up costs.
• MSBA will not reimburse for administrative facilities. The Administration offices will need to find a new home; they can be in the new building, but Duxbury would have to cover the cost of that area of the building at 100%. The Administration offices might look at other locations in town, too.
• The MSBA will help pay for the demolition of the old DHS building and building of a new field on that site (since the project removes the old middle school field). It will not pay for things like snack shacks or other new buildings on that site.
• There will be an all new school website launching July 1. It will be far more comprehensive for the district, schools, teachers, and so on.
• An audience member made a comment about green building practices and materials reuse and such. Could we sell the old high school lockers in eBay? It's worth some talk.