The MSBA Helps Break Ground for the New Briggs Elementary School
April 27, 2012
Jack McCarthy, Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), joined state and local officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new John R. Briggs Elementary School in the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District.
“As a result of the successful collaboration between the MSBA and the District, students at Briggs Elementary will get a completely up-to-date learning environment,” said Executive Director McCarthy. “This is a down payment on the academic excellence of the students at Briggs.”
State Senator Stephen Brewer cited the groundbreaking as proof of the District’s commitment to the Briggs project. Senator Brewer said, “When we cut that ribbon, the teachers will be reinvigorated. The students will be reinvigorated. Everyone will be a believer.”
School Committee Chairman David Christianson described the new school as “the right building at the right price, [one] that we think will serve the town for 50, 60, 80 or 100 years to come.”
The $30 million project will replace the existing Briggs Elementary School with a new facility built on the same site. More than $15 million of the total project budget is eligible to be reimbursed by the MSBA. The new school is expected to open in September 2013.
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 $8.6 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.
posted by Jeff Bennett
See what happens when you have a competent financial team in place.
ReplyDeleteI believe Ashburnham accomplished this feat with a part time town administrator.
They also had a bond rating!
Go figure!
IMHO, this debt exclusion should NOT have been brought before the voters until AFTER the audits were done and the town had a bond rating. THAT is on the Selectmen.
I think the School Committee members are just as much at fault. How can you live in a town and not understand the financial mess your town is in ? Did they think the tooth fairy was going to save the day ? I never see these people at a meeting, ever ! If the taxpayers are angry, they should not be angry at us. We are just being honest. Bev.
DeleteBob M. people that know there is a problem are not getting involved. they are sick of not having their voices heard
ReplyDeleteI understand, but the worse thing you can do is not show up ! By not showing up, you give your vote away. If you think it is easy for me or the other people who speak up, I have news for you. How many people have died so we have the rights we have today ? If things do not change, there will be a lot of people looking for a new place to live. This is no joke. The Advisory Committee have been given a subtle message all year long, to get along in public with the BOS. Things have improved between us, but there are huge problems that still exist. The difference between what people voted for the first time, as far as the police station article goes, and what is being presented Saturday, is huge. To Carter, it looks like he does not think so, but he has no "skin in the game", we do. People do not have to speak, just raise your hand and vote. Win or loose, at least you tried. Bev.
DeleteI agree with you Bev. People need to show up.
DeleteI'm glad the advisory Board is not getting along with this BOS. Holy crap, who can stand behind the BS going. This feels like a con game being played on the citizens, period.
The school will kill the town if the BOS and TA keep going like this. They deceive the taxpayers, haven't discussed extra cost for consultant or lack of ability to complete.
Credibility is lacking!
Flyers and print copies of the financial management letters are available. Contact
ReplyDelete978-340-2503
Or call me . I have some copies. Trust me, there are good reasons that this is not on line. It is enough to make you cry. When Carter said that this was not pretty he was not kidding ! God only knows we need to start making good decisions. Bev.
Delete