NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The McCann School Committee has authorized Superintendent James Brosnan to move forward with the MSBA project and discussed the next steps.

 

The school committee unanimously approved a lengthy motion authorizing the district to execute and perform its obligations under the project funding agreement. It also authorized Brosnan to execute and deliver the agreement and make final decisions regarding the project.

 

"I had to get you out of your warm homes, because we cannot move forward until this is done, voted on, and ratified," Brosnan said. "... Now we can move forward onto those next phases of the project funding agreement."

 

McCann Technical School has been approved for a $17 million project to update the 63-year-old school's roof, windows, and doors.

 

Brosnan said he is in the process of collecting documentation from member towns that must be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the project agreement and the bond counsel.

 

"We have had a good response, and we have been in touch with a couple of towns that had a few glitches … There were a couple that needed to be tweaked," he said. "We expect and hope and need to have it all in next week … I think we can get it done. Tomorrow is the goal to make sure everyone is on board."

 

The project is currently in the open bid phase with two filed sub-bids, which include all of the trades. Brosnan noted that questions are coming in from prospective bidders, and Gale Associates, the project engineer, is sending out responses and addenda.

 

"We feel as though we are in a good place," he said. "We have a sufficient number of companies in each of the areas of the file sub-bids. The masons, electricians, plumbers … we are optimistic."

 

The committee plans to open the bids at the end of the month.

 

Filling in for Principal Justin Kratz, Assistant Principal Keith Daigneault provided an update on admissions, noting that 88 percent of the 126-member freshman class were placed in their first-choice shop. Eight percent were placed in their second choice, and 4 percent were placed in their third choice.

 

Daigneault attributed this success to the new HVAC program, which has helped distribute students more evenly across the various shops. He noted that in the past, some students had to be placed in their fourth-choice shop.

 

"We have a lot of happy freshmen, and they are working hard," he said.

 

The School Committee also voted, per usual, not to accept school choice.