TREASURER CAHILL, KATHERINE CRAVEN, MAYOR DOMENIC J. SARNO AND LOCAL OFFICIALS BREAK GROUND FOR THE NEW PUTNAM VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
State Treasurer Tim Cahill, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), MSBA Executive Director Katherine Craven, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and school superintendent Dr. Alan J. Ingram broke ground today for the new 315,000 square foot Putnam Vocational/Technical High School. The MSBA will contribute a maximum allowable grant of up to $112,500,000 towards the new school.
“The new Putnam Voc/Tech High School will be a 21st century learning facility that will prepare students for highly-skilled, well-paying jobs. In addition, its construction will create new jobs in a sector of the economy hit hard by this recession,” said State Treasurer Tim Cahill, Chairman of the MSBA.
“After working with Springfield for many years, we are now celebrating the groundbreaking of what will be a cutting-edge learning environment not only for students in the City of Springfield, but the entire region. This grant, of up to $112.5 million, is the largest the MSBA has awarded and it demonstrates our commitment to Vocational/Technical education across the Commonwealth, “said Katherine Craven, MSBA Executive Director
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated he is “very thankful to everyone involved in this important educational, economic and workforce development enhancing project.” He extended a special thank you to Treasurer Timothy Cahill, Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Executive Director Katherine Craven, City departments and staff and the local legislative delegation for their ongoing continued and dedicated efforts to bring this project to fruition. “Having a top notch educational facility will help Putnam students achieve educational excellence,” added Sarno.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan J. Ingram said the groundbreaking ceremony will mark the start of an exciting time for students. He said the new high school building is important because atmosphere plays an important role in teaching and learning. “Our kids are definitely worth a new school,” he said. “We believe in our future, and we believe in our kids.”
The MSBA’s Vocational, Technical and Agricultural School Renew and Repair Program has committed $100 million to upgrading and repairing nine vocational technical high schools. This funding is in addition to the $200 million the MSBA has already committed to Voc/Tech schools over the past two years. This combined $300 million investment is the largest the state has made in its vocational technical schools in 30 years.
The MSBA is collaborating with municipalities to equitably invest $2.5 billion in schools across the Commonwealth by finding the right-sized, most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe and sound learning environments. The MSBA has reformed the Commonwealth’s formerly rampant and unsustainable program, which had accumulated $11 billion in debt. In its five year history, the MSBA has made approximately $6.8 billion in reimbursements to cities, towns and regional school districts for school construction projects. These timely payments have saved municipalities over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to municipalities in these difficult economic times.
