Deputy Executive Director Barbara Hansberry joins officials in cutting the ribbon!

Paul McGeary, President Gloucester City Council

Board of Selectmen Chair Joe Pato

State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and Jack McCarthy, MSBA Executive Director, today joined state and local officials at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Joseph Estabrook Elementary School. The MSBA is contributing 37.27% of eligible expenses toward this $43.4 million project.

Deadlines for District Submissions for Board of Directors Meetings
 
The MSBA has posted its 2015 Schedule for District Submissions for Board of Directors Meetings and Facilities Assessment Subcommittee meetings.
 
The MSBA regularly updates its Board of Directors meetings and Facilities Assessment Subcommittee meetings schedule, which includes updates to district submission deadlines.  Please check this website for updated information throughout the year to ensure that district project schedules align with the MSBA Board of Directors meeting schedule and that they include accurate submission dates.
 
Any questions should be directed to the MSBA Project Coordinator assigned to your project.

The 2015 schedule of Board of Directors' Meetings, Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meetings, and subsequent submission deadlines for districts has been published. Click here to view the complete schedule.

 To the Editor:

The Globe’s September 14th article “State Rethinking Model School Designs” could give readers the impression that the Massachusetts School Building Authority is either:

1.  Scaling back the Model School Program; or
2.  Unsure of the program’s economic effectiveness.

Both of these perceptions are inaccurate.
 
Since its 2008 inception, 18 school construction projects have participated in the MSBA’s Model School Program, which streamlines the architectural phase of construction by adapting and re-using proven design elements from successful, flexible schools. Each of these projects has saved money for our taxpayers through participation in the Program.  Model School Program savings are achieved through a range of factors that include: greater predictability in design cost, reduced designer fees, expedited design time and faster project completion.

As I mentioned to your reporter, the construction of Norwood High School is a clear example of the Program’s cost-saving effectiveness. In that case, the district saved $31.3 million through a combination of the Model School Program efficiencies and favorable bidding conditions – conditions that would have been unavailable to the district had it not participated in the Program.

Indeed, the MSBA is so satisfied with the Model School Program’s performance that we are expanding it. We are encouraging architects who have designed newly-constructed Massachusetts public schools to submit their design for consideration as a model school.

The MSBA is fully confident that this exemplary program will continue to benefit Massachusetts taxpayers, school districts, teachers, and most importantly, students for years to come.

Sincerely, 

Jack McCarthy
Executive Director
Massachusetts School Building Authority

State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and Jack McCarthy, MSBA Executive Director, today joined state and local officials at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Bresnahan Elementary School. The MSBA is contributing 52.78% of eligible expenses toward this $35,640,763 million project, which was conducted as part of the MSBA’s Model School Program. The Model School Program incorporates successful elements from existing schools into the design of new facilities. 

“The Model School initiative has been a resounding success, and I’m excited that Newburyport’s needs are a good fit for the program,” noted Treasurer Grossman. “By utilizing the best design elements from other successful construction projects, the MSBA’s reimbursement rate increases, saving money for local taxpayers.”

The project consists of a new 112,500 square foot school on the site of the previous Bresnahan School, which was built in 1956 and suffered from deficiencies in major building systems, including structural integrity, mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Bresnahan Elementary School serves 660 students from Kindergarten through grade 3.

“As a result of the successful collaboration between the MSBA and Newburyport, students will get a completely up-to-date learning environment,” said Executive Director McCarthy. “This is a down payment on the academic excellence of Bresnahan students.”

The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over 1,400 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $10.9 billion in reimbursements for sustainable school construction projects.

Jack McCarthy, Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), today joined with local legislative and school district leaders to cut the ribbon on a major addition and renovation project at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School. The MSBA is contributing 67.41% of eligible expenses towards the $73.7 million project.

State Treasurer and MSBA Chair Steven Grossman expressed delight over the successful completion of the project. “The MSBA's fiscally responsible blueprint for school construction is helping communities like those in the Bay Path Regional School District provide a strong educational foundation for students in an efficient, sustainable and affordable way," Treasurer Grossman said.

The project consists of improvements to 249,521 square feet of space, including a two-story addition to the front of the building and a single-story addition to the northeast side of the building. The two-story addition will support the District’s educational program by adding general use classrooms, science rooms, and shops. Renovations to the existing building include upgrades to HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire safety systems. The MSBA will contribute a maximum grant of up to $47,393,356. Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School was built in 1972 and serves 1,100 students in grades 9-12 in the districts of Auburn, Charlton, Dudley, North Brookfield, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Spencer, Southbridge and Webster.

“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 students in the District.”

The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over 1,400 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $10.9 billion in reimbursements for sustainable school construction projects.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority Board of Directors met on Wednesday, September 24, 2014.  Two Districts were invited to conduct Feasibility Studies, and two Districts were advanced to the Project Scope and Budget Phase. In addition, the Board also voted to approve the final audits and grant amounts for 19 projects: two addition/renovation projects, five Accelerated Repair Program projects, nine Green Repair Program projects, two Major Repair projects and one Science Lab Initiative project.

Below are the press releases from some of the votes taken at the meeting.

• Abington Awarded $50.1M Grant for New Grade 5 to 12 Facility

• MSBA Invites Town of Amherst to Launch Feasibility Study for Wildwood Elementary School

• Chelsea Awarded $37.6M Grant for New Clark Avenue Middle School

• MSBA Announces Final Audit of 19 School Projects Totaling over $37M

• MSBA Invites Town of Hanover to Launch Feasibility Study for Sylvester Elementary School