Mountain Views School District Announces $1.5 Million Challenge Grant from Max Comins for New School Building
The Mountain Views School District (MVSD) is thrilled to announce a transformative $1.5 million conditional challenge grant from Max Comins in support of the proposed new middle and high school building project in Woodstock.
Mr. Comins’ pledge is structured as a dollar-for-dollar challenge grant, designed to inspire additional private investment in the future of Mountain Views’ students. Upon successful passage of the school construction bond and satisfaction of the state-required contingencies, Mr. Comins will match pledged private donations up to $1.5 million if pledged within the next 12 months.
The challenge grant is contingent upon:
Voter approval of the proposed school construction bond, and
Satisfaction of the two state contingencies written into the ballot question.
“This generous commitment demonstrates confidence in our students, our educators, and in the future of our community,” said Sherry Sousa, Superintendent of Mountain Views School District. “Max’s generosity not only provides critical financial support for the project. It challenges all of us to come together and invest in the future of our schools.”
If fully matched, the Comins Challenge Grant would generate $3 million in private support toward the new school project, reducing the burden on local taxpayers and helping the District meet the required outside funding threshold.
Community members interested in contributing to the matching campaign are encouraged to contact Jim Fenn at the District’s finance office at james.fenn@mtnviews.org.
About the Rebuild Proposal
On March 3, 2026, voters across the Mountain Views School District will be asked to consider Article 4, a revised and more affordable bond proposal to rebuild Woodstock Union High School and Middle School.
The existing school building, constructed in 1958, no longer meets modern educational standards or building codes. Renovation or phased repairs would cost more over time, take longer to complete, and be more disruptive to students and staff. Since the 2024 vote, construction costs have increased by approximately 13% due to inflation and tariffs, making timely action increasingly important.
Built-In Cost Protections
Article 4 includes two cost-containment contingencies written directly into the ballot language. The District may only issue debt if:
At least 25% of the project cost (approximately $28 million) is secured from state, federal, or private sources
The State Legislature eliminates the double penalty for school construction debt.
These safeguards, along with design revisions, lower the local share of the bond by more than $15 million compared with 2024. A recent study by PC Construction demonstrated that Article 4, the rebuild, is also $20 million less expensive to local taxpayers than a comprehensive renovation of the existing facility. To date, over $2 million in private donations have been pledged specifically for the rebuild, including this new pledge, with the Comins Challenge Grant significantly strengthening the District’s ability to meet the required outside funding threshold.
State Aid and Long-Term Planning
MVSD holds pre-approval from the Vermont Agency of Education for a full rebuild, positioning the District near the front of the line for the State’s School Construction Aid Program, scheduled to launch in 2026. State aid is conservatively estimated at $25 million and could reach as much as $50 million over the life of the bond.
The redesigned building is approximately 158,000 square feet and designed to serve about 600 students, with flexibility for future expansion if required. The project meets all current state requirements while maintaining a cost per square foot that is significantly lower than comparable recent school projects in Vermont and the region.
Next Steps
The Rebuild Working Group and district leadership will continue hosting informational meetings across the district in the weeks leading up to the March 3 vote. Additional information, including a full FAQ, cost comparisons, and ballot language, is available at mtnviews.org/woodstock-union-rebuild-bond-vote.
About Mountain Views School District (MVSD)
Located in Central Vermont’s Green Mountains, Mountain Views School District serves students from Barnard, Bridgewater, Killington, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, Woodstock, and neighboring school-choice communities.
Contact:
Sam Stockwell
Communications Lead, MVSU Rebuild Working Group
email.rebuildteam@mtnviews.org