State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and MSBA Executive Director Jack McCarthy announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to invite the East Middle School into the MSBA’s Eligibility Period.
“I’m delighted that the Board has voted the East Middle School into the Eligibility Period,” said Treasurer Grossman. “We look forward to working collaboratively with Braintree officials to develop the best solution to meet the Town’s educational needs in a fiscally responsible manner.”
During the 270-day Eligibility Period, the MSBA will work with Braintree to determine the District’s financial and community readiness to enter the capital pipeline. The next step is for the district to complete preliminary requirements pertaining to local approval and formation of a local school building committee. Upon timely and successful completion of the Eligibility Period requirements, the district becomes eligible for an invitation into the Feasibility Study phase of the capital pipeline, subject to a vote of the Board of Directors.
“The Eligibility Period is a critical step in the MSBA’s process of evaluating potential work on the East Middle School,” stated Executive Director McCarthy. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the District as it enters the Eligibility Period.”
“This is a real positive for us and I appreciate the ongoing partnership with the MSBA,” said Mayor Joe Sullivan. “This project will enable us to physically improve East Middle School to replicate the work we accomplished at South Middle School.”
“I thank Treasurer Grossman and the MSBA for this important vote for Braintree,” said Representative Mark J. Cusack. “With these critical upgrades to East Middle School, we will be able to provide the student and staff with the academic environment to excel.”
“Today’s MSBA vote to include East Middle School in the Eligibility Period is a huge step forward for Braintree and its students, and I thank Treasurer Grossman and the staff at MSBA for their partnership on this project,” said Senator John Keenan. “Mayor Sullivan, the Town Council and the School Committee have made the commitment to improving school facilities, and I am happy to join with them and Representative Cusack in advancing this project.”
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over $10.1 billion in reimbursements for school capital improvement projects. MSBA reimbursements have saved districts over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to communities.
