MSBA Board Votes Dexter Park School into Schematic Design

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 move Dexter Park School, located in the Town of Orange, into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, the MSBA and the District will look at possible addition/renovation options at the school. 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 Orange students with a top-notch learning environment," said Treasurer Goldberg.

The preferred solution proposes to replace the Dexter Park School with an addition and renovation project at the existing Fisher Hill Elementary School that will serve students in grades PK-6 district-wide. Upon completion, the structure would be a 102,160 square foot facility, servicing 520 students in grades PK-6. In the Districts Statement of Interest, they identified the following issues: mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; and envelope issues including interior and exterior. In addition to the physical plant issues, the District reported that the existing facility does not support the delivery of its educational program as well as existing and projected overcrowding.

"The addition/renovation project at Dexter Park School will mean a better learning and teaching location for students and teachers," 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 $14.1 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.