State Treasurer and Receiver General Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and Jack McCarthy, MSBA Executive Director, announced that the MSBA Board of Directors has invited Springfield Central High School into the MSBA’s Science Lab Initiative. The Initiative is designed for high schools that have deficiencies in their existing science labs that inhibit the delivery of the district’s educational program.
“Our students need a 21st century science curriculum and learning environment to compete in the innovation economy,” Treasurer Grossman said. “The Science Lab Initiative ensures that more schools will have top-notch science facilities, and I’m delighted that Springfield Central High School is looking to move forward in this important program.”
The next step is for the District to obtain local approval for funding and begin working with consultants, in collaboration with the MSBA, to conduct a Feasibility Study to better understand the problems identified in the Statement of Interest that was submitted to the MSBA by the City. The Feasibility Study will explore options to address these problems and determine parameters for a potential project. The Science Lab Initiative is another example of how the MSBA maximizes the benefit of funding for school projects, while enhancing the education of students.
“Districts taking part in the program can invest in otherwise sound high school facilities by focusing on model designs for science labs,” Executive Director McCarthy said. “This targeted use of funds greatly increases the Authority’s overall effectiveness.”
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 creation, the MSBA has made more than $8.9 billion in timely payments 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.
