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 approve a grant of up to $36,650,548 million for a project to construct a new John F. Kennedy Middle School in the Town of Natick. One of the next steps is for the District and the MSBA to enter into a Project Funding Agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the District will receive its MSBA grant.
"Upon completion, this project will provide a new 21st century learning environment for students in Natick," Treasurer Goldberg said. "Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the District’s educational commitments and goals."
The proposed project will create a new 182,195 square foot facility to replace the current building on the existing site, which suffers from deficiencies in major building systems including mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The District also reported in their Statement of Interest, that the current structure suffers from window/building deficiencies and additional physical plant issues, and overcrowding subsequently resulting in the District being unable to deliver its educational program. The District and MSBA have mutually agreed upon a design enrollment of 1,000 students serving grades 5-8.
"Students will soon have a beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom," 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 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.