Roof Project at Harry Lee Cole Elementary in Boxford Approved Under the Green Repair Program

The Massachusetts School Building Authority Announces Approval of the Roof Project at Harry Lee Cole Elementary Under the Green Repair Program
The MSBA will contribute $190,000 towards the project

BOSTON, MA – The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) approved a $190,000 grant for a roof project at the Harry Lee Cole Elementary School in Boxford under the Green Repair Program. State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the MSBA, and Katherine Craven, MSBA Executive Director, made the announcement today. The roof project was completed in the summer of 2010 and is being reimbursed retroactively.

The main goals of the Green Repair Program are to improve learning environments for children and teachers, reduce energy use and generate cost savings for districts.  The program will repair or replace roofs, windows and/or boilers in schools that are otherwise structurally, functionally and educationally sound. The one-time-only program has a limited budget of $300 million and grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.

“Our Green Repair Program allows us to fund much needed repairs in districts like Boxford. Besides improving the learning environment for our children, the green repairs also make our schools more energy efficient, and generate significant cost savings. It's a win-win program for everyone," stated Treasurer Steven Grossman.

“The Green Repair Program enabling us to both expedite and broaden the MSBA’s participation in projects -- like the one in Boxford -- thereby maximizing the impact of this program,” stated Katherine Craven.

“Boxford has been aggressive, efficient and responsible in repairing the roof of the Cole School, and taken the kinds of action that preserve buildings and save money in the long run.  The MSBA has recognized this and is making a very important decision to partner with the town and contribute substantially to the significant cost of the project,” said State Senator Bruce Tarr.

“I would like to thank the MSBA for their partnership with the town and school officials of Boxford and for expediting these needed funds during these bad economic times,” said Representative Bradford Hill.

The MSBA strives to find the right-sized, most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe and sound learning environments. The MSBA is committed to protecting the taxpayer’s dollar by improving the school building grant process and avoiding the mistakes of the past in the funding and construction of school facilities. In its six year history, the MSBA has made more than $7.4 billion in reimbursements to cities, towns and regional school districts 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 in these difficult economic times.