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 move the Bristol County Agricultural High School into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, the MSBA and the District will look at possible addition/renovation and new construction options. The next step is for the MSBA to work in collaboration with the District to produce detailed designs for a potential project.
"Thanks to our collaborative work with local officials, we are working to build a 21st century educational facility that will provide Bristol County students with a top-notch learning environment," said Treasurer Goldberg.
The solution that is being further developed is for: the construction of a new Center for Science and the Environment building and Dairy Barn; renovation of Gilbert Hall, the Agricultural Mechanics building, and Pole Barn; a small addition to the Floriculture building; and site circulation improvements.
The current structures suffer from deficiencies in major building systems including mechanical, electrical and fire protection systems. The District also reported in their Statement of Interest, that the current structure suffers from envelope deficiencies and additional physical plant issues, subsequently resulting in the District being unable to deliver its educational program. The existing Bristol County Agricultural High School is a 224,237 square foot facility located on a 250 acre site, which currently serves students in grades 9 - 12.
"The proposed project at Bristol County Agricultural High School will mean a better learning and teaching location for students and teachers," 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 $12.9 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.
