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$52 million check presented for completed high school renovation

E-mail|Link|Comments () Posted November 15, 2009 09:00 AM

The town accepted a $52 million check, which covers 90 percent of the Framingham High School’s comprehensive renovation project completed in 2007, from the state's school building authority today. Cast members of the high school's fall musical production, "Seussical," which opens tonight at 7 p.m., performed the show's opening act before State Treasurer Timothy Cahill, (left) chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and other local officials at the ceremonial check presentation. (Matt Rocheleau for The Boston Globe)

By Matt Rocheleau, Globe Correspondent

A $52 million check, which covers 90 percent of the Framingham High School’s comprehensive renovation project completed in 2007, was presented to the town by the state’s school building authority Friday at the high school.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has been reimbursing the town over the course of the 384,000 square foot renovation project which began in 2002, and the ceremonial presentation representing the entire $52-million grant came several days before the final payment of around $1.5 million is expected to be approved by state officials at a Nov. 18 meeting.

That payments have been accelerated by the MSBA's Progress Payment system, helping the town avoid taking out a $23-million, 20-year loan, which saved an avearge of $1,150 for each taxpayer, said the authority’s spokeswoman, Emily Mahlman

The total renovation to the high school cost around $58.5 million and was “as intensive a renovation as it comes,” Mahlman said.

State Treasurer and 2010 state gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill is the authority’s chairman and he, along with the authority’s Executive Director Katherine Craven presented the check in the school’s auditorium Nov. 13 at 10:30 a.m.

State Sen. Karen Spilka, state representatives Tom Sannicandro and Pam Richardson, and local officials also attended.

In its five year history, the authority has made $6.5 billion in reimbursement payments to cities, towns and regional school districts, according to a release from the authority announcing the check presentation.

The state organization reformed a formerly “rampant and unsustainable program,” which had accumulated $11 billion in debt, the release said.

Under the former program, which was still intact when the Framingham High renovation funding was approved, the highest reimbursement amount for a school project investment was 90 percent of the total project cost. And, though the newly formed authority’s maximum reimbursement amount is currently 80 percent, the Framingham High renovation project’s 90 percent reimbursement approval was grandfathered in.

The MSBA is currently collaborating with municipalities to invest $2.5 billion in schools across the state, “by finding the right-sized, most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe and sound learning environments,” added the release.

For more information on the MSBA, visit www.massschoolbuildings.org.