I attended a meeting in Boston yesterday of the Massachusetts School Building Authority. At that meeting Treasurer Tim Cahill and Executive Director Katherine Craven announced that Methuen High School is one of three High Schools in Massachusetts that has been chosen to move forward with a major renovation. From the Eagle Tribune:
The Massachusetts School Building Authority yesterday announced that Methuen High is among 11 public schools in the state and one of just three high schools ready for “schematic design.”
That means the school has moved to the next phase in the process of getting funding for a large-scale renovation, said Executive Director Katherine Craven.
We have worked very closely with Katherine Craven, who is one of the most capable individuals in State Government. Our agreement on the initial scope of the project has shaved a good chunk of time and money off of the project.
“I think this outcome of Methuen and the SBA working together so well has saved the taxpayers and the students of Methuen time and money,” Craven said, adding the agreement has likely shaved at least a year off the project.
This project will be a major renovation that includes the possibility of expansion to deal with space problems and our lack of adequate science labs.
“Where this is a 1970s-era structure and it seems to be structurally sound, we think this is a good candidate for renovation,” she said.
Workers will renovate the majority of the building.
“It’s not just about replacing a few pipes and some paint, this is going to be a major project,” Craven said.
The renovation could involve adding onto the building if they cannot find space for new science labs, Craven said.
Treasurer Tim Cahill has taken the time to come to Methuen and has been a driving force in modernizing our approach to School Building Assistance in the Commonwealth. State Senator Steve Baddour and Representative Linda Dean Campbell worked tirelessly making Methuen’s case to MSBA, and this project could not have happened without them.
Read the Tribune story here.
Bill Manzi.com 
Congratulations on getting the funding for the High School renovation project!! Anyone who has followed this process state-wide knows it has been a very competitive one. That Methuen is one of only a handful in the whole state that is being funded is a true testament to the foresight of our Mayor having made that a priority of the administration right at the get go. The tenacity of our Mayor, coupled with that of our local legislators made this happen. All in all a job well done!
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Now if we can focus on getting the long-term fixes on the 110/113 Rotary thru the red tape, I would be a happy resident 🙂
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Kudos to all who contributed to this tumultuous task of getting the approval for the long-awaited changes for the high school!
Our students need the skills to be competitive within the job market and an updated and transformed facility is something that is very much needed.
This change will enhance the students high school experience and will help the faculty, as well.
Great job!
Denise
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