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 $40,454,641 million for a project to construct a new James L. Mulcahey Elementary School in the City of Taunton. 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 Taunton," 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 119,693 square foot facility to replace the existing James L. Mulcahey Elementary School and Hopewell Elementary School with a new PK-4 facility on the existing James L. Mulcahey Elementary School site. The District identified that the current building, 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 structural issues, accessibility issues and additional physical plant issues, subsequently resulting in the District being unable to deliver its educational program. The District and MSBA have mutually agreed upon a design enrollment of 735 students for grades K-4.
"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.
