MSBA Announces $14.9 Million Grant Approval for New "Model" Elementary School in Fairhaven

The Massachusetts School Building Authority Announces $14.9 Million Grant Approval for a New "Model" Elementary School in Fairhaven

MSBA Board votes to contribute up to $14,992,503 towards the new school

State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and Katherine Craven, MSBA Executive Director, today announced that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to approve funding to build a new elementary school in Fairhaven as part of the MSBA’s Model School Program. The new school will replace both of the existing Wood and Rogers Elementary Schools.

The agreed upon design enrollment for the new model elementary school will be for 370 students in grades K-5. The MSBA will be contributing up to 63.50% of eligible costs for a total grant of up to $14,992,503 towards the new school.

“I am pleased that Fairhaven identified the Model School Program as good fit and is able to take advantage of these potential savings,” said Treasurer Grossman. “This design will provide the town’s middle school students with a modern learning environment that fully supports the district’s educational plan.”

“I look forward to continuing our work with Fairhaven during this next stage in the process to build a new Model School that meets MSBA guidelines and will educate generations of Fairhaven students,” said Katherine Craven, Executive Director of the MSBA.

The MSBA’s Model School Program effectively adapts and re-uses design elements from 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 overall costs for the project. At least a year of design work can be saved by using a Model School.

The MSBA strives to find the right-sized, most fiscally-responsible, and educationally-appropriate solutions to create safe and sound learning environments. In its six year history, the MSBA has made more than $8 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 in these difficult economic times.