Jack McCarthy, Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), today joined with local legislative and school district leaders to cut the ribbon on a major addition and renovation project at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. The MSBA is contributing a maximum grant of up to $12,482,302 towards the project.
State Treasurer and MSBA Chair Steven Grossman expressed delight over the successful completion of the project. “The MSBA's fiscally responsible blueprint for school construction is helping communities like those in the Greater New Bedford Regional School District provide a strong educational foundation for students in an efficient, sustainable and affordable way," Treasurer Grossman said.
The project added 14 new classrooms, created a three-story tower at the front of the building and selectively renovated areas where existing adjacencies did not meet the needs of the District’s educational plan, resulting in a 490,480 square foot facility. Upgrades to science labs and to the cafeteria were also made. Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School was built in 1977 and serves 2,060 students in grades 9 through 12 in Dartmouth, Fairhaven and New Bedford.
“The MSBA is thrilled to have taken part in this project,” Executive Director McCarthy said. “This partnership between the District and the MSBA has provided an up-to-date, 21st century facility for students in the District.”
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 1,450 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $11 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.