Assabet Receives $33 Million from the State

The Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School has received $33.1 million toward needed repairs and upgrades while officials praised the school.

"There is no better institution in our area than this school. The Superintendent and staff use all of their resources well, and there is no limit to what these students can achieve," said State Treasurer and Massachusetts School Building Authority Chairman Steven Grossman before signing a facsimile of the check to the schools last week.

The funds represent the state's portion of $62.4 million in repairs and improvements to the school. They include:

• Repairs to the roof, windows, HVAC systems, Life Safety Systems, the emergency generator, electrical panels and lighting and selected plumbing and fixtures.
• ADA access.
• Modernization of some science labs.

In November of 2011, the MSBA Board of Directors unanimously voted to provide the $33.1 million in grant funds towards the project. The balance will be paid by the school’s seven member communities. The fund is designed to pay for large municipal school projects.

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"It's a partnership and it's a partnership between not only one community but a set of communities," said Chairman Grossman of the need for investment in schools. "We understand that if central Massachusetts is going to be the best place in the world in which to live, work, bring up a family and build a business ... we need those young men and women who are our children and grandchildren to stay here."

A great deal of collaboration was required to get the funding passed among the seven member towns of Berlin, Hudson, Marlborough, Maynard, Westborough and Northborough. The debt impact is to be apportioned among the communities using an average three year enrollment, according to officials.

"We worked very hard to secure the votes for this project," said Superintendent Mary Jo Nawrocki. "Thank you so much for believing in us."

Assabet Valley has roughly 1,100 students in attendance.