Plans for a new Squantum Elementary School today officially qualified
for the state’s school building program following a critical vote by
the board that oversees school construction across Massachusetts.
The
Massachusetts School Building Authority Board of Directors voted
unanimously at its regular meeting on Wednesday to accept the City’s
request, proposed by Mayor Thomas Koch and supported by both the City
Council and School Committee, to enroll in the program that provides
millions of dollars in state reimbursement for new school construction
and major renovation projects.
The Squantum School is Quincy’s
fourth major school project to qualify for the program, including most
recently the new South-West Middle School. That project followed the new
Quincy High School and Central Middle School projects. In addition, the
City has partnered with MSBA on a series of door and window projects at
schools citywide. State reimbursements for those projects have ranged
from 60 to 80 percent, saving local taxpayers tens of millions of
dollars.
“This project is vital to the future of Squantum and our
City. We have an incredibly well-proven track record in delivering
transformational school projects together with the MSBA, and I think
that gives the Board of Directors a good deal of confidence in welcoming
us once again into the program,” said Mayor Koch. “I’m grateful for the
ongoing partnership with Treasurer Goldberg, all of our colleagues at
the MSBA, and the tremendous efforts by Superintendent Mulvey and his
team, the state delegation, our City Councilors and the School Committee
for getting us to this point. We have plenty of work ahead, and I’m
looking forward to it.”
Added Ward 6 City Councilor William Harris:
“This
school is the cornerstone of the Squantum community, and I am thrilled
we are now on our way to providing the state-of-the-art educational
facility that our young people very much deserve. I can think of few
higher priorities for myself as Ward Councilor than seeing this project
through, and I look forward to working directly with so many of our
neighbors in Squantum as this process moves forward.”
In its
proposal, the City and the Quincy Public Schools team noted that while
the school has served the community remarkably well since it opened in
1919 but a building of that age is extremely limited in providing a 21st
Century learning environment. Officials cited the need for
technology-driven curriculum, science laboratories, computer labs, and a
library media center as components to be included in any new building.
“I’m
looking forward to working with the MSBA on the Eligibility Phase of
the Squantum Elementary School project,” said Superintendent Kevin
Mulvey. “Thanks to the support of Quincy’s state legislative delegation,
Mayor Koch, the City Council, and School Committee, we have an
opportunity to build a state-of-the art facility to benefit all of the
students who attend the school, both from the neighborhood and the
citywide Special Education program students. A new building will enhance
the outstanding educational opportunities provided by the dedicated
staff and administrators at Squantum Elementary School and will also be
an important resource for the local community.”
The project now
enters an elaborate process guided by the MSBA, which starts with
meeting eligibility requirements showing the City can finance and manage
a project of this magnitude. Officials expressed a high degree of
confidence on moving through that phase based on the City’s history of
successful school projects. From there, the project moves onto a
feasibility study that determines the full scope of needs before a final
project agreement, reimbursement rate, and schedule is voted on the
MSBA Board.
Said State Senator John Keenan:
"I wish to thank
the School Building Authority, its Board and team, and Treasurer
Goldberg for advancing the Squantum School project through the process,
and congratulate my colleagues in government - Representative Ayers,
Mayor Koch, the City Council, Superintendent Mulvey and his team, and
the School Committee - for their hard work in laying the groundwork for
what will be a modern school in another of Quincy’s great neighborhoods.
Generations of students will benefit, proving that government works
best when it works together.”
Added State Representative Bruce Ayers
“The
city designated rebuilding the Squantum School as a priority a few
years ago, and this morning our advocacy paid off,” said State
Representative Bruce Ayers. “I was proud to testify in support of the
city's proposal at the MSBA's board meeting. With this partnership, we
can finally begin to replace a facility that is over 100 years old and
hasn’t been renovated in decades. A new building will help the great
educators at Squantum School bring their programs into the 21st century
of education. This project will allow for technology integration,
greater investment in the arts, and more emphasis on STEM learning, all
thanks to a facility equipped with the tools necessary for students to
reach their maximum potential. The residents of Squantum take a lot of
pride in their community, and now they are one big step closer to having
an elementary school facility they can be proud of as well.”