Chelmsford Building Committee Nears April Vote on Parker School Design Options

CHELMSFORD — March 19, 2026 — Chelmsford's School Building Committee advanced a $272.6 million Parker Middle School project toward an April 16 design vote, approving a $92,734 invoice package and receiving a preliminary MSBA reimbursement analysis. Financial consultant David presented a Form 3011 analysis projecting an MSBA share of approximately $105 million and a district share of roughly $167 million — a net reimbursement rate of about 38 percent, better than the 35 percent initially anticipated because the MSBA recently raised its allowable cost per square foot. Architects from AI3 walked the committee through six design options — three new-construction and three addition-renovation schemes — tied to grade configurations of 5-to-6, 4-to-6, and 5-to-8 at Parker, with a 1,250-seat auditorium in the 5-to-8 options drawing the note that "MSBA is not paying for that." The committee will receive an evaluation matrix this week, updated cost estimates the second week of April, and is expected to select a preferred option and authorize the Program Study Report submission at its April 16 meeting, days before the April 27 Town Meeting.