Marshfield is Invited into the Model School Program

The Massachusetts School Building Authority Invites Marshfield Into the Model School Program
Using proven, effective designs to create efficient and affordable educational environments

BOSTON, MA – State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) and Katherine Craven, MSBA Executive Director, announced today that Marshfield High School has been invited into the Model School Program. The next steps are for the Town of Marshfield and the MSBA to work in collaboration to study which model best suits the school’s site, enrollment and educational needs to solve the problems identified in the district’s Statement of Interest. 

 The MSBA’s Model Schools effectively adapt and re-use the design of successful, recently constructed schools; simplifying the design process, reducing the amount of time projects are in the design phase and lowering design fees. Using elements of a previously designed Model School allows projects to begin construction faster and reduces construction costs for the project. At least a year of design work can be saved by using a Model School.

“Our Model School Program has saved communities across the Commonwealth valuable time and money. I am pleased that Marshfield’s needs are a good fit for this program and that they can take advantage of this potential savings while providing the students of Marshfield High with a modern learning environment that fully supports the District’s educational plan,” said State Treasurer Steven Grossman.

“Today’s MSBA vote shows that we agree with the Town of Marshfield that a Model School could be the best solution to address the facility’s deficiencies and to enhance the delivery of the educational program,” said Katherine Craven, Executive Director of the MSBA. “The MSBA and the Town of Marshfield share a common goal: to maximize the use of scarce taxpayer resources while finding a solution to Marshfield’s needs that is both educationally and economically appropriate.”

“The School Building Authority has made great strides to save taxpayers’ money when there are necessary school construction costs,” said James M. Cantwell, state Representative from Marshfield.  “The Model School Program would allow the town to save on design and engineering costs.  Previous Model Schools have meant significant savings to districts.”

The MSBA strives to find the right-sized, most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe and sound learning environments. The MSBA is committed to protecting the taxpayer’s dollar by improving the school building grant process and avoiding the mistakes of the past in the funding and construction of schools. The MSBA reformed the Commonwealth’s formerly rampant and unsustainable program, which was more than $11 billion in debt. The MSBA has made $7.4 billion in reimbursements to cities, towns and regional school districts for school construction projects. These timely payments have saved municipalities over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to communities.