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Price Tag For State's Costliest High School Rising

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Mar 17, 2008 8:11 pm US/Eastern

Price Tag For State's Costliest High School Rising

NEWTON, Mass. (WBZ) ―

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The most expensive school project in Massachusetts history is getting even pricier.

The Board of Aldermen is considering Mayor David Cohen's request for a $197.5 million bond authorization to pay for a new Newton North High School.

The current cost estimate is about 40 percent higher than the one given voters when they approved construction in January 2007.

The soaring price tag has angered many local officials and taxpayers. Cohen indicated in a statement that he would tolerate no further increases, calling the current estimate "the line in the sand."

Aldermen took up the issue at a meeting Monday night on whether to send one of several property-tax override proposals to voters.

Monday's meeting planned to vote on whether a $12 million override should be put on the ballot. Members will also vote on whether to put a debt exclusion on the ballot that would fund the high school, which may be a long shot since a 2/3 vote is needed and one committee has already rejected it.