Jack McCarthy, Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), today joined with local legislative and school district leaders at a ribbon cutting ceremony for additions and renovations at Ayer-Shirley Regional High School. The MSBA will contribute a maximum grant of up to $36,897,609 toward the project.
The project filled in the school’s previously existing courtyard to create a centralized learning commons and also made improvements to building windows and skylights. Two traditional classroom wings were replaced with an interdisciplinary cluster with large group instruction space that takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and provides increased learning opportunities. The 144,072 square foot facility serves 495 students in grades 9 through 12. The MSBA reimbursement rate for the project is 70.25%.
“The MSBA is thrilled to have taken part in this project,” Executive Director McCarthy said. “This partnership between the District and the MSBA has provided an up-to-date, 21st century facility for the children of Ayer and Shirley.”
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 1,600 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $11.6 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.
