Editor’s note: This Edge Staff piece has been submitted by Berkshire Hills Regional School District Communications Coordinator Sheela Clary.
Great Barrington — In March 2025, following diligent efforts by the Monument Mountain Regional High School Building Committee and Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Peter Dillion, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) corrected their original reimbursement rate of 45.52 percent to 49.83 percent, increasing the state share from $53 million to $59 million, and lowering the local contribution by $6 million, bringing the total local share to $93 million.
The proposed project is a three-story replacement of the existing 1968 building, with an estimated total cost of $154.5 million. This cost includes approximately $59 million from the MSBA and $1.6 million in incentives from MassSave.
Project costs will be finalized after the Schematic Design phase is completed in August 2025. Only at this point will the confirmed tax impact for the district towns be known. A favorable district vote on November 4, 2025, is required to proceed with the funding for design and construction.
If approved, construction will tentatively begin in 2027, with the new building expected to open in the fall of 2029. The new high school will be located on the current site, outside of the existing school’s footprint, allowing for the school to remain fully operational during construction.
Additionally, in February 2025, Dr. Dillon announced plans for a fourth Chapter 74 program in Electricity, complementing the existing Automotive, Early Childhood, and Horticulture programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an 11 percent growth in the electrical trade between 2023 and 2033, indicating a strong demand for electricians and appealing career opportunities for students in Berkshire County. An Electricity program would only be made possible by building the new high school.
The Monument Mountain Regional High School Building Committee will host a community information session in the High School Library on June 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. A virtual option will be available for those who wish to attend remotely. During this meeting, updated costs will be presented, an overview of the project will be given, and community members are encouraged to share their comments and ask questions.
For more information and to contact the building committee directly, please visit the project website.
