ATHOL – Members of the Selectboard, Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee, and Capital Program Committee met Tuesday night to discuss the possibility of constructing a new Athol High School.

The meeting was facilitated by FWAC Chair Ken Duffy, who previously expressed doubts about moving ahead with this project. Most in attendance agreed that a new high school is needed, but felt Athol taxpayers just can’t afford the extra expense right now.

Duffy began the meeting by reminding those in attendance that, in 2018, Town Meeting approved borrowing just over $10 million to make repairs to the existing high school. Reading from an Athol Daily News article published March 7, 2018, Duffy said then-Superintendent Darcy Fernandez assured voters that the repairs would extend the life of the high school by 20 years or more.

With the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) providing a nearly 80% reimbursement, Athol was responsible for covering $1.34 million of the repair costs, with Royalston responsible for approximately $90,000. Athol covered its share via a 20-year bond.

Duffy handed out information indicating that the bond taken out in 2018 to make repairs to the high school will be paid off in 2031. Three bonds totaling $8.8 million were taken out to fund construction of the Athol Community Elementary School, which opened in 2016, the last of which will be paid off in 2040.

Pointing to a facilities assessment completed for the school district last year by Drummey Rosane Anderston (DRA), Inc., CPC member Gino Tontodonato said, “If you look at the report that was done by that company, that high school has some serious problems. And it’s not going to get any cheaper to build a new high school in the future. So, it’s going to be one of those questions where we’re going to have to decide if you’re going to pay for it now or you’re going to pay more later, because it has problems and you need a new high school.”

CPC Chair Jim Smith, noting he has great respect for Tontodonato, countered by stating, “I think the point of the matter is the taxpayers were told by the superintendent at the time that (the repairs) would extend by 20 years the life of that building. We wouldn’t be doing our due diligence if we didn’t support that and keep our promise to the town, on the finance end of it, to hold that end up.”

FWAC member Gary Deyo left no doubt where he stands on the issue. “There’s a lot of things in this country right now that are in flux. I’m not in favor of this. I will not support the school because of this (March 7, 2018) article. I won’t support this new school at this time.”

In response to a question from FWAC member Bob Muzzy, School Committee member Bobbi Newman said there are currently 405 students at the high school, which opened in 1960.

“I think it’s a good building,” said Muzzy. “I think it was well built. To have a reason to knock it down and build a new building – and I don’t think the materials are as good these days – I need a really good reason, and I haven’t heard a really good reason yet.”

Selectboard member Rebecca Bialecki said that since the pandemic, educational needs have changed a great deal and how students learn now is different.

“There needs to be a lot more individualized attention,” Bialecki said. “We have non-English speaking students, which is a whole new world I think Athol has not experienced until very recently.

“But at the same time, the town had invested this money back in ‘18, and it really was with the intent to extend the life of the high school for at least 10 years. I think that’s the bottom line. The minimum projection was 10 years, and we’re not even there yet. We’re still paying on this debt.”

“I just think this is too soon,” said Selectboard member Andy Sujdak, a local contractor. “I’ve seen my recent tax bills. We’ve got to get some more stuff off the books before we put something else on. That’s just how I feel.”

It was decided at that Duffy, Suhoski, Smith and a representative from the Selectboard would meet to compile a list of questions and concerns to submit to ARRSD Superintendent Matt Ehrenworth and hold a meeting to discuss his responses.

“We need to open up a dialogue and show the district any concerns we might have,” said Duffy.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.