City Council - Ways & Means Committee Hearing on Docket #1690

October 2, 2025
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City Council - Ways & Means Committee Hearing on Docket #1690

Meeting Date: October 02, 2025 at 02:00 PM Governing Body: Boston City Council - Ways & Means Committee Type of Meeting: Committee Hearing Attendees:

  • Councilor Brian Worrell (Chair)
  • Council President Ruthzee Louijeune
  • Councilor John Fitzgerald
  • Carlton Jones, Executive Director of the Public Facilities Department
  • Brian McLaughlin, Senior Project Manager, Public Facilities Department
  • Del Stanislaus, Chief of Capital Planning, Boston Public Schools

Executive Summary: The City Council Ways & Means Committee convened to discuss Docket #1690, an appropriation request of $2,500,000 for a feasibility study and schematic design for the Ruth Batson Academy. This project is part of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Core Program and aims to provide a new facility and early college pathway in Dorchester through a partnership with UMass Boston. The appropriation will fund an Owner's Project Manager (OPM) and an architect to conduct the study, with a projected completion by Fall 2027. The project has received initial acceptance into the MSBA's eligibility period, and this funding is a crucial step in advancing the project through the MSBA's capital pipeline.

I. Call to Order and Meeting Logistics

  • Chair: Councilor Brian Worrell, District 4 City Councilor and Chair of the Boston City Council Committee on Ways and Means.
  • Time: 2:04 p.m.
  • Recording and Live Streaming: The hearing is being recorded and live-streamed at boston.gov/city-council-tv, and broadcast on Xfinity channel 8, RCN channel 82, and Fios channel 964.
  • Public Comments:
    • Written comments can be sent to ccc.wm@boston.gov.
    • In-person testimony requires signing up at the chamber entrance.
    • Virtual testimony requires emailing Karishma Chauhan at karishma.chouhan@boston.gov for a link.
    • Individuals will have two minutes to testify.
  • Absence Noted: A letter of absence was received from Councilor Enrique PepĂ©n.

II. Docket #1690: Appropriation for Ruth Batson Academy Feasibility Study

  • Subject: A hearing regarding an appropriation for a feasibility study and schematic design for the Ruth Batson Academy within the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Core Program.
  • Sponsor: Mayor Michelle Wu.
  • Referral Date: Referred to the committee on September 24, 2025.
  • Purpose: To invest in school facilities to boost capacity for holistic educational programs and early college opportunities, specifically for the Ruth Batson Academy in Dorchester, in partnership with UMass Boston.

III. Presentation by Public Facilities Department and Boston Public Schools

  • Presenters:
    • Carlton Jones, Executive Director, Public Facilities Department
    • Brian McLaughlin, Senior Project Manager, Public Facilities Department
    • Del Stanislaus, Chief of Capital Planning, Boston Public Schools
  • Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Overview:
    • The MSBA is a state authority that funds public school construction projects in Massachusetts.
    • It is a reimbursement agency that works with communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy-efficient schools.
    • Funded through one penny of the Massachusetts sales tax.
    • Programs:
      • Core Program: For larger school construction projects (major renovations, additions, new construction).
      • Accelerated Repair Program: For specific repairs (roof, windows, heat pump conversions).
  • City of Boston's Collaboration with MSBA:
    • The City has increased collaboration with the MSBA in recent years.
    • Completed Core Projects: Dearborn STEM Academy, Boston Arts Academy, Josiah Quincy Upper School, Carter School (opened September 2025).
    • Completed Accelerated Repair Projects: 35 roof, window, and boiler repair projects.
    • Total Impact: $656 million in construction with $241 million in reimbursement from the MSBA.
  • Ruth Batson Academy Project Timeline and Process:
    • April 2024: City submitted a Statement of Interest (SOI) for the Ruth Batson Academy (formerly John W. McCormick Middle School).
    • April 2, 2024: Submission of SOI supported by the City Council.
    • Summer 2024: MSBA reviewed the SOI.
    • Fall 2024: MSBA visited the school.
    • December 2024: MSBA Board invited Ruth Batson Academy into the Core Program.
    • July 1, 2025: Eligibility period began for Ruth Batson Academy.
    • Eligibility Period Requirements (9 months):
      • Completing initial compliance certification.
      • Forming a school building committee.
      • Completing an enrollment questionnaire.
      • Providing the district's maintenance plan.
      • Submitting the school's educational profile questionnaire.
      • Appropriating funds for a feasibility study.
    • Completed Eligibility Period Actions to Date:
      • Submitted initial compliance certification.
      • Formed the School Building Committee.
      • Submitted the enrollment questionnaire and School Educational Profile (last week).
    • Current Request: $2,500,000 to hire an Owner's Project Manager (OPM) and an architect to conduct the feasibility study.
  • Projected Timeline:
    • March 2026: Completion of remaining eligibility period tasks.
    • February or April 2026: MSBA Board vote to move Ruth Batson Academy into the capital pipeline (feasibility study section).
    • Spring/Summer 2026: OPM and architect hired using appropriated funds.
    • Late Summer/Fall 2026: Feasibility study and pre-design work begins.
    • Fall 2027: Anticipated completion of schematic design and feasibility study.
    • Late 2027: MSBA Board vote to approve schematic design.
    • Fall 2027: City Council will be approached for a second appropriation for the balance of funds for construction.
  • Ruth Batson Academy Background (Del Stanislaus):
    • April 2024: Boston School Committee officially renamed the merged BCLA McCormick campus to Ruth Batson Academy, honoring civil rights leader Ruth Batson.
    • Merger Process:
      • May 2019: Initial proposal introduced to the School Committee.
      • December 2022: School Committee voted to merge the two schools.
      • 2021-2022: Site consolidation and planning at the Harbor Point Campus.
      • September 2024: Consolidation completed; all students learning on one campus under the new name.
    • Community Engagement: Extensive engagement with students, families, educators, and community partners shaped the merger.
    • Outcomes of Merger: Strengthened academic programming, expanded wraparound supports, and a deepening partnership with UMass Boston for early college and access to university resources.
    • Recent Renovations: BPS facilities team performed renovation work, including updating a live skills room, science labs, painting, and new furniture.
    • Future Design: The project will utilize tools developed during the Pre-K through 6, 7 through 12 school design study to create a new state-of-the-art high school in North Dorchester.

IV. Councilor Questions and Discussion

  • Council President Ruthzee Louijeune:
    • Appropriation Amount: Confirmed the request is for $2,500,000.
    • Funding Source: Confirmed it is a collaborative project with the MSBA, not solely from city funds.
    • Scope of Appropriation: The $2.5 million is for the feasibility study and schematic design, not for construction work. It will fund the OPM and architect to develop a project scope, budget, and design.
    • MSBA Approval: Confirmed that the MSBA has accepted the project into its eligibility period, which is the initial stage of project acceptance.
    • Timeline for Study Completion: Anticipated completion of schematic design and feasibility study by Fall 2027.
    • Personal Connection: Noted the McCormick School was her middle school and highlighted past issues with the physical structure (gym, locker rooms, lack of science classrooms) that need to be addressed in the schematic design.
    • Dever School: Inquired about the Dever School's role, given its closure. Confirmed that the MSBA will look at the entire campus, including the Dever School footprint.
    • Support for Mergers: Expressed belief in school mergers but emphasized the need for adequate resources for high schoolers in buildings not originally designed for them.
  • Councilor Brian Worrell:
    • Funding Source: Confirmed the appropriation is part of the capital budget.
    • Resiliency: Confirmed that coastal resiliency will be a part of the project due to the school's proximity to the shore.
    • Sports Fields: Inquired about plans for sports fields, noting previous new schools lacked them. The feasibility study will explore opportunities for a multi-purpose field on the McCormick site.
    • Campus Scope: Clarified that the MSBA will consider the "Dever McCormick site" as a larger footprint, including parking lots and adjacent areas.
    • Student Capacity: Inquired about the target student capacity for the new school. The submitted enrollment questionnaire to the MSBA indicated a target of 1,000 students.
    • UMass Boston Collaboration: Asked about shared facilities with UMass Boston during construction. The strong partnership with UMass Boston allows for conversations about utilizing university resources like the library or gyms if needed.
  • Councilor John Fitzgerald:
    • District Location: Noted the school is in District 3 and expressed excitement for the project, especially given the closure of the Dever School.
    • MSBA Requirements: Confirmed that the feasibility study will require looking at multiple solutions, including "no build," renovation, and new construction options.
    • Current Enrollment: Inquired about current enrollment. Current enrollment is 604 students.
    • Future Enrollment: Confirmed the future enrollment target is 1,000 students, an increase of 396 students.
    • Future Appropriations: Asked how many times the project would require further appropriations from the City Council. Confirmed it would be one more time, likely in Fall 2027, after MSBA approval of the schematic design, to appropriate the balance of funds for construction.
    • Collaboration with Fieldhouse: Inquired about collaboration with the nearby Fieldhouse. Confirmed that Boston Public Schools has an MOU with the Fieldhouse team for Ruth Batson students to utilize the facility.

V. Public Testimony

  • No public testimony was received.

VI. Adjournment

  • The hearing on Docket #1690 was adjourned.

Last updated: Nov 15, 2025

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