Four years ago, Pentucket Regional School District (PRSD) was accepted into the MSBA process for the first time since a proposed new high school building was voted down in the late 1990s. After years of working with the district to create a cost efficient building design that would meet the needs of students, the MSBA voted to award a $52.75 million grant to help fund the project on Wednesday, April 10.

“We are thrilled, and incredibly thankful, that the MSBA has awarded us $52.75 million to support this project,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “This grant directly aligns with what we had projected and hoped the MSBA would award us for this new facility, and this money will greatly reduce residents’ share of the cost.”

The grant includes several million dollars that the MSBA has awarded the district in support of its decisions to plan for energy efficiency in the new facility, as well as the district’s hiring of a construction manager.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important this grant is, and how fortunate we are that the state is helping the Pentucket community fund this facility,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “They’ve been an invaluable resource over the past few years, offering us knowledgeable insight into the most efficient ways to meet our district’s needs.”

Residents in Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury will vote on Monday, April 29 whether to approve the funding request for the project and again in a ballot vote on May 6.

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“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.