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 South Middle School, located in the Town of Braintree, into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, the MSBA and the District will look at possible options to replace the existing South Middle School with a new grades 5-8 facility on the existing 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 Braintree students with a top-notch learning environment," said Treasurer Goldberg.
The proposed project would create a new 140,399 square foot facility at the current site. The District identified in their Statement of Interest, numerous deficiencies including severe overcrowding, roofing, building envelope, and accessibility issues. The District also expressed concern regarding its ability to deliver its educational program due to lack of programmatic space.
"The new South Middle 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 $13.6 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.