$305 million campus for technical high school proposed in Massachusetts

The Bristol-Plymouth (Mass.) Regional Vocational Technical district wants to build a $305 million high school in Taunton that would replace an aging campus.

The Brockton Enterprise reports that the existing Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School is described by district officials as outdated, undersized and unable to meet the educational needs of students.

The district is seeking approval from the Massachusetts Building Authority, which is expected to pay 40% of the construction cost.

A project summary from the school district says the campus opened in 1972 and has "exceeded its useful service life."

When the school opened, it focused on vocational training. Now it also offers programs such as cosmetology and plumbing.

Crowding also has become an issue. The school was built to accommodate about 700 students; enrollment has grown to about 1,300 students. 

School officials also say the facility lacks modern equipment, does not have enough science labs and special education classrooms, has classrooms with no windows, and has vocational shops that are too small to support student needs.

To meet the district's needs, the existing campus would have to undergo major repairs -- new HVAC systems, a new roof, new windows, accessibility upgrades, and plumbing repairs. 

Officials considered building an addition and renovating, but that option was not cost-effective. 

Building the new campus would take around eight years 

HMFM Architects is the architect for the project.