BOSTON—State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mary L. Pichetti announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to move Charles S. Ashley Elementary School, located in the City of New Bedford, into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, the MSBA and the district will look at possible options to replace the Charles S. Ashley Elementary School.
“Thanks to our collaborative work with local officials, we are working to build a 21st century educational facility that will provide New Bedford students with a top-notch learning environment,” said Treasurer Goldberg.
The proposed project would replace the existing Charles S. Ashley Elementary School with a new facility serving 665 students in kindergarten through grade 5, plus pre-kindergarten, on the site of the existing school; consolidating the student populations of the Jireh Swift Elementary and Charles S. Ashley Elementary Schools. The district had identified in their Statement of Interest numerous deficiencies in the existing facility related to outdated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems as well as the building’s envelope; including the roof, windows and accessibility issues. In addition to the physical plant issues, the district reported that the existing facility does not support the delivery of its educational program.
“The potential new Charles S. Ashley Elementary School will mean a better learning and teaching location for students and teachers,” stated Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mary Pichetti.
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 Authority has approved over 1,200 projects and has made over $19 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects across the Commonwealth.
