BMRSD School Building Project Public Hearing Set for June 12

June 11, 2025

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Community Invited to Weigh In on the BMRSD School Building Project: Why June 12 Matters

The Blackstone-Millville Regional School District (BMRSD) is inviting the community to a Public Hearing on Thursday, June 12 at 5 PM to share feedback on the school building project, specifically focused on two major topics: the future of school facilities, and how students will be grouped across grade levels.

This hearing is part of a larger effort to plan for the district’s long-term future—one that could bring new or renovated school buildings, and restructured grade levels across town. Attendees will be able to ask questions and share their thoughts on the proposed grade alignment and school configuration.

The next six months will be a defining period in shaping what comes next for Blackstone-Millville schools—particularly for the aging regional high school.

Why the BMRSd School Building Project Matters

Blackstone-Millville Regional High School was built in 1969 and has not undergone major renovation since. A 2020 facilities assessment identified serious infrastructure issues including:

Original boilers and HVAC systems
Outdated electrical and plumbing
ADA noncompliance
Structural concerns related to asbestos and moisture infiltration

The report projected that bringing the building up to basic safety and functionality standards would cost over $38 million—and that still wouldn’t address educational programming, layout improvements, or future needs.

The school building project isn’t just about repairs. It’s a chance to:

Build facilities that support modern, hands-on, inclusive learning
Reduce long-term maintenance and utility costs
Make better use of space across the district
Position students and staff for success in a changing world

With potential reimbursement of up to 65% of eligible costs from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the district has a window of opportunity to make these changes more affordable—but only with community support.

What’s the Plan?

BMRSd has partnered with the design firm Drummey Rosane Anderson (DRA) as part of a district-wide feasibility study, funded in part through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process. The goal is to assess the condition of existing facilities, explore future grade configurations, and determine the best long-term solution for students and staff.

In May, the district submitted a Preliminary Design Proposal to the MSBA. This submission kicks off the next phase of planning. The district is now gathering community input and reviewing design scenarios before selecting a preferred option.

Key decisions ahead include:

Whether to renovate or rebuild the high school
How to group grade levels across fewer, more efficient buildings
What educational features, safety upgrades, and space improvements are needed
How to finance the project with help from state funding

A response from the MSBA is expected this summer, and the district plans to select a final direction by late summer or early fall.

BMRSD Building Project Timeline as of June 4

Grade Alignment Options Under Review — Public Input Needed

As part of this planning effort, the district has submitted four possible grade configurations to be studied. These models vary in how elementary, middle, and high school grades would be grouped across fewer buildings, and each has different implications for:

Student transitions
Building usage
Programming space and staffing
Operational and construction costs

The four options were shared during the May 28 School Building Committee meeting, and are expected to be explained in more detail at the June 12 Public Hearing.

BMRSD Building Project - Grade Alignment Options May 28

Community members are strongly encouraged to attend the hearing to:

View the breakdown of each grade configuration
Ask questions about how they might affect students and school buildings
Share concerns and feedback while options are still being evaluated

A final configuration is expected to be selected by late summer or early fall, and residents will likely vote on the final project.

Educational Vision: A Focus on Modern Learning

Through a community visioning process, BMRSd has identified several priorities that will guide future school design:

Hands-on, collaborative, and student-centered instruction
Career technical education (CTE) pathways
Modern classroom layouts and flexible learning environments
Spaces that support inclusion, accessibility, and real-world learning

These design goals reflect the district’s desire to move beyond aging infrastructure and into educational spaces that match the needs of today’s students.

New Construction vs. Renovation?

Architects are also exploring whether a new high school building could be constructed on the current campus without disrupting classes. Other options include renovating or expanding the existing high school, or modifying how other schools are used based on the chosen grade alignment.

A detailed cost analysis and layout plan will follow once a preferred configuration is selected.

How Much Will It Cost?

While final numbers aren’t in yet, the 2020 Facilities Assessment estimated that basic repairs to the high school alone would cost over $38 million, with total district capital needs projected to exceed $60 million over two decades.

The MSBA could potentially reimburse 50-65% of eligible high school project costs, depending on incentives. Local taxpayers would be responsible for the remaining share, and any funding plan would go before voters for approval.

Why Community Feedback Matters

This project isn’t just about buildings — it’s about the future of education in Blackstone and Millville. Decisions made now will shape:

Where and how students learn
How town resources are used
The long-term maintenance, staffing, and sustainability of school facilities

District leaders have emphasized that this is not a top-down decision. Throughout the feasibility study, they’ve held public visioning sessions and School Building Committee meetings to invite community insight. The June 12 Public Hearing on grade configuration is the next key step — and one of the most important opportunities for residents to be heard.

Ultimately, residents of both towns will likely vote on whether to fund the final building project. Now is the time to get informed, ask questions, and help shape a plan that reflects community values and priorities.

📍 Attend the Hearing or Stay Involved

🗓️ Thursday, June 12, 2025
🕔 5:00 PM
📍 Frederick W. Hartnett Middle School Library
📄 Full materials: School Building Project Page
💬 Can’t attend? Email feedback to the committee or use the forms linked on the project page.