BOSTON - State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority ("MSBA"), and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO John K. McCarthy announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to approve a grant of up to $49,432,097 for a project to construct a new Maple Elementary School in the City of Easthampton. One of the next steps is for the District and the MSBA to enter into a Project Funding Agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the District will receive its MSBA grant.
"Upon completion, this project will provide a new 21st century learning environment for students in Easthampton," Treasurer Goldberg said. "Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the District's educational commitments and goals."
The proposed project would create a new 177,370 square foot facility to replace the existing Maple Elementary School, Center Elementary School, Pepin Elementary School, and the existing White Brook Middle School, with a new 1010 student grades PK-8 facility at the existing White Brook Middle School site. The District reported in their Statement of Interest that the current structure suffers from deficiencies in major building systems including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. The District also reported, that the current structure suffers from physical plant issues as well as envelope and accessibility issues, resulting in the District being unable to support their educational program as well as existing and projected overcrowding.
"Students will soon have a beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom," stated Executive Director/Deputy CEO McCarthy.
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 1,750 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $13.2 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.
