MSBA Board Votes Maple Street Elementary 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 Maple Street Elementary School, located in the City of Easthampton, into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, the MSBA and the District will look at possible options to consolidate the student population of the existing Maple Street Elementary School, Center Elementary School, Pepin Elementary School, and the existing White Brooke Middle School, with a new grades PK-8 facility at the existing White Brook Middle School 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 Easthampton students with a top-notch learning environment," said Treasurer Goldberg.

The proposed project would create a new 176,155 square foot facility at the White Brook Middle School site that consolidates the student population of the existing Maple Street Elementary School, Center Elementary School, Pepin Elementary School, and White Brooke Middle School. The District reported in their Statement of Interest, numerous deficiencies that are associated with outdated mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, accessibility conditions, overcrowding, and space constraints inhibiting the District’s ability to deliver its educational program.

"The new Maple Elementary 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 $13.1 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.