MSBA Board Awards Grants to Three Communities for New Science Labs

State Treasurer and Receiver General Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and Jack McCarthy, MSBA Executive Director, announced that the MSBA Board of Directors approved grants totaling over $4 million for three communities through the Authority’s Science Lab Initiative.

The MSBA Board voted approval for the following communities for Project Funding Agreements:

District School Scope Total Project Budget Estimated Maximum Total Facilities Grant
Blackstone Valley Regional Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School Science Lab Initiative $1,003,364 $499,756 
Melrose Melrose High School  Science Lab Initiative $6,512,610 $3,106,641
Tri-County Regional Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School  Science Lab Initiative $1,773,566 $819,011
    Totals $9,289,540 $4,425,408

The MSBA’s Science Lab Initiative is designed for schools showing deficiencies in their existing science labs that inhibit the delivery of the district’s educational program.

“The Science Lab Initiative is a strategic investment that better prepares our students for the rigors of the innovation economy and the exciting jobs that it creates,” said Treasurer Grossman.  “Students in these three schools will benefit tremendously from completely refurbished and modernized lab facilities and be exposed to a science curriculum that is truly state-of-the-art.” 

“Districts taking part in the program, like Blackstone Valley, Melrose, and Tri-County, are investing in otherwise sound high school facilities by focusing on prototype designs for science labs. This targeted use of funds greatly increases the overall effectiveness of the Authority,” said Executive Director 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 creation, the MSBA has made more than $9 billion in timely payments 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.