North Attleborough Voters Approve New High School Funding in Special Election
In the June 3 special town election, residents of North Attleborough voted in favor of a debt exclusion to finance a brand-new high school. The unofficial results showed 3,981 votes in support and 2,459 against, creating a margin of 1,522 in favor of the proposal.
Despite only 6,464 of the town’s 24,451 registered voters casting ballots—a turnout rate of around 26%—the decision marked a significant win. Previously, turnout in the April town election was just 12%, making this higher participation noteworthy.
Under the approved debt exclusion, the town will borrow about $180.9 million of the total $287.9 million project cost. The remaining $107 million will be covered through reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
This investment means the town will issue a 30‑year bond, which is expected to increase annual property taxes by approximately $600 to $1,000, depending on each home’s assessed value.
Voters turned out in strong numbers, with signs marking both “Yes to NAHS” and “Vote No,” lining Wilson W. Whitty Way. Precinct 4 had the tightest result, with a 175–168 split, while Precinct 8 saw the widest margin favoring the proposal.
Supporters say the current high school needs updating. One longtime resident who no longer has children in the district noted that even 15 years ago parts of the school lacked proper accessibility and modern science facilities.
On the flip side, some senior citizens expressed concern about higher taxes. Retirees living on fixed incomes worried that the added financial burden could affect their stability .
With the vote behind them, town leaders say construction on the new high school is scheduled to begin next year. The design includes new athletic fields, improved traffic patterns, and modern stormwater systems. The goal is to have students move into the new building by August 2028, with full completion expected in 2029.
Superintendent John Antonucci described the day as a great milestone for North Attleborough. He thanked the many community members, parents and students whose dedication helped bring the project over the finish line.
Council Vice President Keith Lapointe and the School Building Committee also reflected on the long road leading up to this moment. The process began in 2017 when the town first explored building options with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
The new high school is expected to be a modern, collaborative facility with plenty of natural light, flexible learning spaces in small “neighborhoods,” and hubs for robotics, engineering and advanced manufacturing. At approximately 226,750 square feet, it will be significantly larger than the current 181,000‑square‑foot building northstarreporter.com.
As Superintendent Antonucci put it, “The real work begins today.” North Attleborough residents will soon see the community’s vision take shape in a space designed to support future generations.