MSBA Advances Monument Mountain Regional High School to Schematic Design

MSBA Advances Monument Mountain Regional High School in the Berkshire Hills Regional School District to Schematic Design Phase

State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and Jack McCarthy, MSBA Executive Director, announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to proceed with the Berkshire Hills Regional School District into the Schematic Design phase for an addition and renovation project at Monument Mountain Regional High School. The MSBA will now work in collaboration with the District to produce detailed renderings of the proposed project.

“This approval brings the Monument Mountain Regional High School project much closer to fruition,” said Treasurer Grossman.  “Our ongoing collaboration with local officials will deliver a top-notch learning environment that will meet the community’s educational demands while saving local and state taxpayer resources.”

The potential project consists of a renovation of the existing facility and a one-story addition to the facility, primarily for the science labs and the agricultural program. The current school was built in 1968 and suffers from deficiencies in its electrical, mechanical and fire protection systems. The District has also cited inadequacies in the building’s windows. Monument Mountain Regional High School currently serves 520 students in grades 9 through 12.

“This project will extend the working life of Monument Mountain Regional High School,” stated Executive Director McCarthy. “At the same time, we have an opportunity to re-tailor the school for the educational needs of the new century.”

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 inception, the Authority has made over $9 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects. These timely payments have saved municipalities over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to communities.