The Gardner News
Posted Aug 28, 2019 at 2:21 PM Updated Aug 29, 2019 at 8:11 AM
GARDNER — The Massachusetts School Building Authority board of directors has voted to approve a grant of up to $49.2 million for a project to replace Gardner’s Waterford Street Elementary School and the Elm Street Elementary School with a new building to be located off Pearl Street.
According to State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, MSBA chairwoman, and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO John K. McCarthy, one of the next steps is for the school 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.
“Upon completion, this project will provide a new 21st century learning environment for students in Gardner,” Goldberg said on Aug. 28. “Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the district’s educational commitments and goals.”
The proposed school project would create a new, 147,120-square-foot facility with an enrollment of 925 students in grades pre-K to grade 4 located off Pearl Street.
“Gardner students will soon have a beautiful new space, which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom,” McCarthy said.
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 MSBA has made more than 1,750 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process, and has made more than $13.8 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.
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