The Pittsfield City Council unanimously approved borrowing nearly $121 million for the construction of a new high school Tuesday night. Those in the standing-room only crowd cheered, applauded and released balloons when the 11 yes votes came in.The council’s vote marks a major milestone in Pittsfield’s decade-long discussion over a new Taconic High School.
“I think the message it sends is that we really believe that Pittsfield’s best days are still ahead of it,” said Pittsfield Public Schools superintendent Jason McCandless after the vote. “That are best days did not leave town when General Electric left town.”
The state is expected to reimburse about 65 percent of the project’s cost, meaning Pittsfield would pay $40 to $45 million. The Massachusetts School Building Authority is set to vote on the project June 3rd. If approved the school is expected to open for the 2018-2019 school year.
