Grossman and McCarthy Visit New Morton Middle School to Celebrate Benchmark

Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and MSBA Executive Director Jack McCarthy today visited the new James Madison Morton Middle School in Fall River, a project that played a role in elevating the MSBA’s overall investment in statewide school buildings to over $10 billion.

“Fall River — along with almost every other community across the Commonwealth — has benefited immensely from this $10 billion investment, and we are delighted to be here today to see the impact of that investment,” said Grossman.  “Generations of Fall River students will walk the halls of this state-of-the-art facility and gain valuable skills to help them compete and flourish in the Commonwealth’s innovation economy.”   

Created in 2004 to better manage the way in which school building projects are funded, the MSBA reached the $10 billion mark in school infrastructure financing this month.  Investment in the Morton School project was one of the contributors that helped reach this benchmark, and MSBA officials commended the collaborative effort that led to the project becoming a reality.

“This historic moment is an example of government at its best,” stated Jack McCarthy, MSBA Executive Director.  “The MSBA’s model of collaboration with local school districts has proven to be both effective and sustainable in the long-term. As we begin our second decade in operation, we remain committed to supporting the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities.”

The Morton Middle School was built at a cost of $52 million, with a commitment of up to $37 million in funding from the MSBA.  The project entailed construction of a new 130,600 square-foot completely modernized facility, which opened its doors to students this school year.  

To date, the MSBA has invested more than $220 million overall in Fall River school projects. The timely payments that the MSBA provides to municipalities have saved cities and towns over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs.