Framingham Receives An Official Invitation To Join Massachusetts School Building Authority For Project

Press release from the City of Framingham:

December 13, 2023

Framingham Public Schools

Robert A. Tremblay, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

For more information, contact:

Rochelle Santos Media and Communications Manager, Framingham Public Schools

Telephone: 508-782-6099

Susan Scully Petroni City of Framingham Public Information Officer

spetroni@framinghamma.gov Telephone: 508-782-8629

City of Framingham Receives an Official Invitation to Join the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a School Building Project

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 (Framingham, MA) - At their monthly meeting this morning, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors voted to officially invite Framingham Public Schools into the Eligibility Period which would provide funding support for a school building project in Framingham.

“I am very pleased that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) recognized the need for a potential new Southside elementary school. The City Council, the School Committee, and my administration have been working collaboratively on this school project. Recently, the City Council and I secured a potential site for a new school, if a study determines that

Hemenway Elementary should not be replaced at its current location,” said Mayor Charlie Sisitsky. “In anticipation of this acceptance into the MSBA capital pipeline, I signed an Executive Order to create a 13-member Framingham School Building Committee, in the fall. I will announce my individuals for the Committee and name the Committee’s leadership later this month.”

This vote begins the Eligibility Period where the City of Framingham and Framingham Public Schools work collaboratively with the MSBA to determine educationally-sound and fiscally-appropriate solutions outlined in the District’s Statement of Interest.

“This is such an exciting development for the Framingham Public Schools and the City of

Framingham,” said Dr. Robert Tremblay, Superintendent of Framingham Public Schools. “I look forward to our continued partnership with the MSBA, Mayor Sisitsky, the Framingham City Council, the School Committee, the newly established School Building Committee, FPS leadership and staff, and of course our taxpayers, as we move forward in support of our children and families.

Having just put the final touches on our comprehensive, 7-year Strategic Plan for the Framingham Public Schools, we had hoped that the MSBA would support our Statement of Interest for expanding preschool access for all 4-year-olds in Framingham through the offering of a school building project that is aligned with that educational vision. With today’s board vote, the first, critical step toward realizing this long-term vision has been taken and the journey will positively impact our City for generations to come!”

“Building a school to address the current challenges of the Hemenway site would not only address enrollment and curriculum challenges and better serve and represent the students of this part of the city, but provide such community resources as playing fields and playgrounds,” shared Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “If this project moves forward, Framingham would set an example for our Commonwealth of how state and local partnerships deliver transformative investments in early childhood education and can reshape the trajectory of young lives.”

On October 31, 2023, Mayor Charlie Sisitsky signed an executive order to create a 13-member Framingham School Building Committee. The application deadline was December 1, 2023. At this time, the committee is being formed to complete the timely and successful Eligibility Period requirements. After this preliminary window, the District becomes eligible for an invitation into the Feasibility Study phase of the Capital Pipeline, subject to a vote of the MSBA Board of Directors.

“This expansion of our elementary school space in the Framingham Public Schools would not only provide additional classrooms but would also increase the accessibility to students, some of whom must ride the bus for hours each day just to get to and from school,” shared Priscila Sousa, State Representative, and School Committee Vice Chair. “Currently two-thirds of our students live in the south side of the city while two-thirds of our elementary schools are located on the north side of Framingham. This investment will create more equitable access to education, mitigate transportation issues in Framingham, and broaden pathways for success in social-emotional development for our most vulnerable students.”

“I am so thrilled for the children in our community,” said Phil Ottaviani, City Council Chair and District 6 City Councilor. “They deserve more and they deserve better and that’s exactly what this project will bring to our city and its youth. Framingham needed to get this project moving forward and thanks to the leadership of Senate President Spilka and the entire Framingham team we are blessed to be included on the MSBA agenda for Wednesday, December 13, 2023. I look forward to doing my small part and helping in any way asked to get this done.”

“I was honored to testify at the MSBA Board meeting on behalf of the students, parents, and residents of Framingham in support of rebuilding Hemenway Elementary School,” shared Jessica Barnhill, School Committee Chair. “This is terrific news! It is a huge step in addressing existing inequities in our school system and city. We are excited to see what options exist in Framingham on the southside to really support the needs of our students. It is time the children of the south side have the same educational opportunities as their northside peers. Let’s get to work and build a school for our kids!”

The City of Framingham is looking to replace Hemenway Elementary School on Water Street, built in 1961. The existing facility is insufficient for the enrollment and curriculum of the Framingham Public Schools, and the existing building’s scale and orientation of spaces are outdated and unable to properly adapt to the needs of contemporary schools.

Additionally, this project proposes educational space that would create opportunities to address enrollment, space needs, playing fields, playgrounds, parking, and curriculum goals, including the expansion of preschool programs for all four-year-olds in the City of Framingham.

The City of Framingham hired architects to perform a pre-feasibility study in 2019 for the expansion or replacement of the existing Hemenway Elementary School. This pre-feasibility study delved into the existing building and site and also expanded to looking at options for a new site.

The MSBA is the Massachusetts School Building Authority. They are a quasi-independent government authority created in 2004 to replace the former school building assistance program administered by the Department of Education (now the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education). They work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy-efficient schools across Massachusetts.

For the Core Program, if the MSBA invites a district into the Eligibility Period, it requires a vote of the MSBA Board of Directors, the district, and the MSBA. The MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, competitive program, and grants are distributed by the MSBA Board of Directors based on need and urgency, as expressed by the district and validated by the MSBA. Submitting a Statement of Interest (SOI) is not an invitation into the MSBA's Capital Pipeline; it is the first step in the MSBA's program. Moving forward in the MSBA's process requires further collaboration between the district and the MSBA.

The MSBA and the City of Framingham have partnered together on several projects, all aimed at restoring and renovating Framingham’s school buildings. These projects dating back almost 30 years are listed below.

• 1995: Expansion and renovation at McCarthy Elementary School
• 1998: Replacement of Harmony Grove Elementary School (Formerly Woodrow Wilson Elementary School)
• 2000: Replacement of Cameron Middle School
• 2006: Additions and renovation at Framingham High School
• 2014: Repairs and exterior improvements which included windows and door replacements at Stapleton Elementary School
• 2021: Replacement of Fuller Middle School

The mission of the Framingham Public Schools is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by highly qualified staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with our entire community. For news, updates, and announcements, follow Framingham Public Schools (@FraminghamPS)

on Facebook, and (@framinghamschools) on Instagram. You can also join the conversation using #FraminghamSchools.

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This press release was produced by the City of Framingham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.