Franklin County Put a $236.6 Million School to a Vote. Residents Said Yes.

On October 6, 7,628 voters across the 19 towns in the Franklin County Technical School district went to the polls and approved a new $236.6 million school building, 4,106 to 3,522, according to unofficial results.

Why does this matter? This was a 30-year commitment, and it went directly to residents rather than being settled by a school committee or a handful of town boards. Before the vote, the district held public information sessions, presented at town meetings, and took questions from residents. In Deerfield, the Finance Committee broke the project down to what it would cost the town each year. In Shelburne, the Selectboard and Finance Committee weighed in with a recommendation of their own. People had the numbers, and then they decided.

Here is what they decided. The state is expected to reimburse up to $113.8 million. The remaining $122.8 million is split among the 19 towns and paid back over 30 years. Each town’s share is based on its population and property values, so annual payments range from about $89,000 in the smallest towns to $1.87 million in Greenfield. Per-home estimates are out for 14 of the 19 towns, and they range from roughly $87 to $335 more a year on the average single-family tax bill.

The results varied town to town. The measure passed in 13 towns, failed in five, and tied in Conway at 87 to 87. Because this was one districtwide vote, every town had a say in the outcome, and every town shares the bill.

That is the way a decision this size should be made. The full price tag on the table, and residents casting the deciding vote.

Construction is set to begin in 2028, and the new school is expected to open in fall 2030. The payments start sooner. Check your town’s budget this spring to see how your share gets covered.