'Things Are Going To Start Happening': $8M Peabody High School Feasibility Request

PEABODY, MA — The push for a new Peabody Veterans Memorial High School is set to cross a significant threshold over the next few weeks when the City Council takes up an $8 million feasibility study request from the School Committee.

The feasibility study is a necessary step for the city to qualify for state matching funds from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

The City Council will receive the request on Thursday with a discussion and possible vote on the funding set for the April 10 meeting.

• 'When It Really Gets Exciting': New Peabody High School Project Nears Next Phase

"This is initial funding," Peabody Mayor and School Committee Chair Ted Bettencourt said at Tuesday night's School Committee meeting. "There is certainly going to be a lot more money that's going to be required for this project. But I always like to mention at this point that the Mass School Building Authority will be reimbursing the city for all funds put forward toward this project at over 60 percent."

Bettencourt said some additional reimbursements for green initiative credits could also be added and that the exact percentage of MSBA reimbursement has yet to be determined.

• 'A Monumental Step': Peabody High Gets State Funding Approval

"We are certainly going to pursue every reimbursement point rigorously and vigorously," Bettencourt said. "April 10 is a big day for the start of the project, start of getting the funding together and bringing on our team.

"Things are going to start happening. It's always wonderful to take these next steps."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)