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 $52,752,304 for a project to replace the current Pentucket Regional High School and the current Pentucket Regional Middle School with a new District-wide grades 7-12 middle/high school on the existing site. 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 the Pentucket Regional School District,” Treasurer Goldberg said. “Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the District’s educational commitments and goals.”
The proposed project would create a new 211,700 square foot facility with an enrollment of 965 serving students in grades 7-12, on the existing site. The District reported in their Statement of Interest that the current structure suffers from deficiencies in its mechanical and HVAC systems. The District also reported physical plant issues, and the existing facility being unable to support the delivery of the Districts educational program due to existing and projected overcrowding.
“Pentucket Regional 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 $13.6 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.
The above press release was published by the Massachusetts School Building Authority on Wednesday, April 10.