Chariho district could finance a new elementary school and campus work

The regional school district could issue up to $116 million in bonds or notes to pay for the project. The project covers an elementary school serving Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton, plus improvements at the Switch Road Campus. The district must receive state approval for school housing aid at a reimbursement rate or state share ratio of at least 61% when the bonds or notes are issued. The rate or share ratio may rise to 65% when the project is complete. The authority would also depend on approval by a majority of regional district voters. The financing authority would begin only after voters approve the act at the November 3, 2026 election and would expire or be ended in whole or in part seven years after the act takes effect, unless the district committee acts sooner.

Voters in the three member towns would decide whether to approve the act. The vote would be held among electors in Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton as part of the regional school district. Sections 13 and 14 would take effect when the act passes. All other provisions would take effect only if a majority of voters voting on the question approves the act. The approval question would appear at the November 3, 2026 election; the financing and project provisions would start after majority approval.