State Treasurer Tim Cahill, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”), and MSBA Executive Director Katherine Craven were in Middleton today for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new Howe-Manning School. The MSBA will be funding 51% of the construction project.

“I am pleased to be here to participate in the groundbreaking for the new Howe-Manning School. This project will not only create a 21st century learning facility for the children of Middleton, but it will also create jobs in a sector of the economy hit hard by this recession,” said State Treasurer Tim Cahill, Chairman of the MSBA.
 
“The new Howe-Manning School will mean a better learning and teaching environment for the children and teachers of Middleton and is another example of the commitment, collaboration and the partnership the MSBA has with districts,” said Katherine Craven, MSBA Executive Director.
 
“Middleton officials and residents have worked hard to debate, plan and approve an elementary school that best meets the town’s educational needs.  The breaking of ground for the new Howe-Manning School reflects that work and the critical support that the MSBA has given to provide more than half of the cost of construction,” said Sen. Bruce Tarr.
 
“This project has been discussed and debated for many years,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr.  “I am pleased our efforts are finally coming to fruition.  Children for generations to come will benefit greatly from having this new school in the community and I am pleased these students will have the opportunity to matriculate in such a fine facility.”
 
“I am very grateful to the MSBA and its leaders for all of the help and guidance they have provided to the local officials here in Middleton and to the school building committee. The dedication and perseverance provided by the MSBA have made this project a reality,” stated Rep. Bradford Hill.

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 2007, as a result of programmatic reforms and sound fiscal management, the MSBA was able to reopen a sustainable, reformed grant program. 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.