State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and Jack McCarthy, MSBA Executive Director, today joined state and local officials at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Park Avenue Elementary School. The MSBA is contributing up to $29.5 million for the project.
“The MSBA's fiscally responsible blueprint for school construction is helping communities like Webster provide a strong educational foundation for students in an efficient, sustainable and affordable way, ” Treasurer Goldberg said. “Our partnership with the District has produced a 21st century facility that will serve 720 students for decades to come.”
The new 109,597 square-foot facility replaces the previous Park Avenue School, which was built in 1960. Park Avenue Elementary serves 720 students from Kindergarten through grade 4. The MSBA will contribute a maximum grant of up to $29,579,137 toward the project.
“As a result of the successful collaboration between the MSBA and the District, students will get a completely up-to-date learning environment,” said Executive Director McCarthy. “This is a down payment on the academic excellence of Webster students.”
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 1,600 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $11.5 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.