BOSTON, MA – Katherine Craven, Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) was in Cheshire today. On behalf of State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the MSBA, she took part in the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the addition/renovation project at Hoosac Valley Middle/High School.
The scope of this project includes the renovation of the existing building and the construction of three additions to the current Hoosac Valley Middle/High School. The school will serve 805 students in grades six through twelve. The MSBA is reimbursing the district for 78.37% of eligible project costs -- or up to $28,243,131.
“I am pleased to help break ground for this project,” said Executive Director Katherine Craven. “As a result of the collaboration between the MSBA and the district, the students and staff of Hoosac Valley Middle/High School will benefit from a much improved environment for learning and teaching while saving state and local taxpayers’ money.”
“Listening to the needs of a community and developing projects accordingly is a priority for the MSBA,” said Treasurer Steven Grossman. “This addition and renovation at the Hoosac Valley Middle and High School will provide students with a top-notch learning environment, while saving the district the costly expense of a new school.”
The MSBA strives to find the right-sized, most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe and sound learning environments. The MSBA is committed to protecting the taxpayer’s dollar by improving the school building grant process and avoiding the mistakes of the past in the funding and construction of schools. The MSBA reformed the Commonwealth’s formerly rampant and unsustainable program, which was more than $11 billion in debt. The MSBA has made $7.6 billion in reimbursements to cities, towns and regional school districts for school construction projects. These timely payments have saved municipalities over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to communities.
