By Joseph D. Elie, Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – In order to advance the process of determining whether the Beal Early Childhood Center can receive state funding for a potential renovation and facility improvement project, on Nov. 22, the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen unanimously endorsed the refiling of a statement of interest form with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).
The original statement of interest and refiling forms were prepared by school Superintendent Dr. Joseph Sawyer. The MSBA requested the refiling, or recertification, if the town was still interested in pursuing possible funding. The nature and scope of a project are yet to be determined.
Town Manager Dan Morgado said the statement of interest is the first step that says the need is there, but is not in itself an application for funding. A feasibility study would be the next step, followed by a design solution and then a funding application. Morgado said the new Sherwood Middle School is an example of how the process works.
The Beal Early Childhood Center opened in 1922 and currently enrolls 365 students in grades pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and grade one.
