Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and MSBA Executive Director Jack McCarthy today announced that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to approve a grant of up to $55.7 million to replace the existing Holbrook Junior/Senior High School, South Elementary School and John F. Kennedy School with a new K-12 facility on the Holbrook Junior/Senior High School site.
“This is a down payment on the academic excellence of Holbrook students,” said Treasurer Grossman. “Upon completion, this new school will provide a modern learning environment and create the space needed to deliver on the school district’s educational commitments and goals.”
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 Town will receive its MSBA grant.
The new school will be built based on a design enrollment of 1,095 students in Kindergarten through grade 12. The MSBA will contribute 69.12% of eligible costs toward the project, for a total grant of up to $55,751,400. The Holbrook Junior/Senior High School was built in 1956 and suffers from deficiencies in major building systems including mechanical, electrical and windows.
“The proposed new school in Holbrook will replace an aging school with an up-to-date, 21st century learning facility,” stated Executive Director McCarthy. “Students will soon have a beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom.”
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 1,350 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $10.7 billion in reimbursements for education capital improvement projects.