Shrewsbury awarded $33 million grant for new Beal School

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Shrewsbury awarded $33 million grant for new Beal SchoolBoston/Shrewsbury – State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO John K. McCarthy announced today in a press release that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to approve a grant of up to $33,222,716 for a project to construct a new Beal School. One of the next steps is for the District and the MSBA to enter into a Project Funding Agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the district will receive its MSBA grant.

Shrewsbury Town Meeting voters Oct. 22 approved the first step for funding the town’s estimated $58.8 million portion of the new school, which is estimated to cost $92.8 million. The next step will be a ballot vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

“Upon completion, this project will provide a new 21st century learning environment for students in Shrewsbury,” Goldberg said. “Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the district’s educational commitments and goals.”

The proposed project would create a new 141,600 square foot facility to replace the existing Beal Early Childhood Center with a new K-4 facility on the former Galvin Center site. The district reported in their Statement of Interest that the current structure suffers from deficiencies in major building systems including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. The district also reported that the current structure suffers from accessibility issues, and doesn’t support the delivery of its educational program, particularly for special education students and English learners, as well as existing and projected overcrowding.

“Shrewsbury students will soon have a beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom,” stated Executive Director/Deputy CEO McCarthy.

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 1,750 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $13.4 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.

For more information visit https://www.communityadvocate.com/2018/10/27/first-step-in-new-beal-school-funding-approved-at-special-town-meeting.

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