Next Steps for the Pollard Middle School Project

Proposed Pollard Middle School Site Plan

Work on the Pollard Middle School project continues to move forward!

Over the last year, and under the direction of the School Building Committee (SBC) and Permanent Public Building Committee (PPBC), School Committee and other town boards, significant work has been done by the Pollard design team to prepare a schematic design to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) this summer.  If the MSBA approves the proposed design, the project is anticipated to receive a reimbursement of between 20% and 23% of the total project cost. A debt exclusion would still be necessary to secure the remaining funds, a measure that would be presented to Needham residents for a vote this coming fall.

(To learn more about the project, please visit the project website: Pollard Project Updates)

What's coming in the next month?

• Revised estimates for the project will be shared in June. Prior estimates have put the projected cost around $336 million.

• The School Committee and School Building Committee (SBC) will vote to approve a schematic design for the project.

• The design will be submitted to the MSBA for their review and approval.

The submission to the MSBA follows months of study and feedback to refine and finalize the building design, informed by feedback from educators, town leaders, and community members. In addition, traffic studies, tree assessments, zoning changes, and planning with public safety officials and the project's contractor, Bond Construction, have taken place.   As part of the effort to meet the educational program while considering the impact on taxpayers, reductions in the building's spaces, amenities, and square footage have been carefully considered, and the site plans have been developed to ensure the 

project fits nicely into the neighborhood.

Following the June submission, and assuming no MSBA directed changes, the project will be brought before the community in the fall as submitted.

What's happening over the summer and into the fall?

• Additional public meetings will take place at Pollard (and via Zoom) on June 30, July 22, and August 26 to keep the neighborhood and wider community updated on progress. Information about total cost and the impact on taxpayers will also be shared.

• In July the Needham Select Board will discuss and vote language for a debt exclusion question to be placed on the November 2026 ballot.

• Upon MSBA approval of the schematic design in August 2026, the Town of Needham and the MSBA will enter into a Project Funding Agreement that establishes the project cost and the amount of reimbursement to be provided by the MSBA.

• In October a Special Town Meeting will convene to consider the project and vote on whether or not to approve it. In November, Needham voters will have the opportunity to vote on a debt exclusion ballot question for the Pollard project.

Where can I learn more?

To receive project updates by email and learn more about the plan for a new Pollard that brings 6th, 7th and 8th grade students under one roof while meeting today's educational needs and providing flexibility for the future, please visit the Pollard website:  Pollard Project Updates.