MSBA Board Votes D.M.C. Durfee High School into Schematic Design

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 D.M.C. Durfee High School, located in the City of Fall River, into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, the MSBA and the District will look at possible options to replace the existing school. 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 Fall River students with a top-notch learning environment," said Treasurer Goldberg.

The proposed project would create a new 501,330 square foot facility to replace the current building, which 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 from window/ roofing deficiencies and additional physical plant issues, subsequently resulting in the District being unable to deliver its educational program. The existing B.M.C. Durfee High School is a 573,210 square foot facility located on a 63.68 acre site, which currently serves students in grades 9 - 12.

"The new 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 $12.7 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.