State Funding Approved for New Galvin Middle School

The state of Massachusetts has approved its share of funding on Wednesday for a new Galvin Middle School in Wakefield.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) announced at its March 28th meeting that it will contribute an estimated state grant of $32.6 million to Wakefield's $73.6 million plan for a new middle school.

The state also approved an additional $2,057,957 million contingency grant available to the town, which would raise the total state reimbursement to 54.6 percent of elligible costs. This additional grant ensures that Wakefield taxpayers would not be responsible for added costs if the final project total exceeds $74 million.

“Today’s vote is the culmination of months of intensive collaboration between Wakefield and the MSBA,” said State Treasurer Steve Grossman, chairman of the MSBA. “As a result, we have a proposed school that will serve more than 1,000 students in an efficient, sustainable and affordable way. The MSBA will continue to work closely with the District as the project moves forward.”

The next step is for the town and the MSBA to enter into a Project Funding Agreement that will detail the project’s scope and budget that the town must follow to receive its grant from the MSBA. 

If approved by the town, the new Galvin Middle School will be designed based on the previously mutually agreed upon design for an enrollment of 1,070 students in grades 5-8.

 “The new Galvin Middle School will provide students with a cost effective, beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom,” said John K. McCarthy, executive director of the MSBA.