State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and MSBA Chief Executive Officer Maureen Valente announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to move the Hillside Elementary School in Needham into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, Needham and the MSBA will look at possible options to replace the existing school with a new K-5 facility on the Central Avenue site. The next step is for the MSBA to work in collaboration with the District to produce detailed designs for a potential project.
“Thanks to our collaborative work with local officials, we are working to build a 21st century educational facility that will provide students with a top-notch learning environment,” said Treasurer Goldberg.
The proposed project would create a new 90,927 square foot facility to replace the current building, which suffers from deficiencies in major building systems including poor energy efficiency and outdated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.
The existing Hillside Elementary School is a 47,197 square foot facility located on a 24.6 acre site, which currently serves students in grades K–5. The original school building was constructed in 1961.
“The new Hillside Elementary School will mean a better learning and teaching location for Needham students and teachers,” stated Chief Executive Officer Valente.
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 1,650 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $11.8 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.
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