Brockton Needs a New High School

Brockton has the largest high school in the state of Massachusetts. Built nearly 60 years ago, Brockton High School has major deficiencies, including safety and code issues. Current conditions put the health and safety of our students and staff at risk.

The majority of the current campus is not accessible for people with limited mobility. It lacks a sprinkler system. Most floor tiles contain asbestos. The building no longer meets city energy codes. The leaking roof is damaging interior materials. HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems are inadequate, requiring frequent, expensive emergency repairs. Despite the efforts of the building’s maintenance staff, and as a result of these issues, Brockton High School risks losing accreditation.

After reviewing numerous options, city officials and school leaders on the Brockton School Building Committee determined that building a new high school was the best, most fiscally responsible path forward. A new building is estimated to cost $800 million, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is expected to provide more than half of the funding. Voters will have an opportunity to approve the new school building plan in March 2027.

Repairing the existing high school would cost taxpayers more than building a new one, and would fail to address the educational needs of Brockton students now and in the future. What’s more, because making necessary repairs to meet code will not address Brockton’s educational goals, the MSBA will not provide funding. This means taxpayers would bear the total brunt of the cost of bringing the school up to code, which is estimated at nearly $500 million. Additionally, building new will take less time and allow learning to continue uninterrupted.

Brockton High School is a place where champions learn, and they deserve a state-of-the-art building that makes the entire city proud.