State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO John K. McCarthy, announced that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to move the David Mindess Elementary School, located in the Town of Ashland, into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, the MSBA and the District will look at possible options to replace the existing David Mindess Elementary School. 

The next step is for the MSBA to work in collaboration with the District to produce detailed designs for a potential project.

“Thanks to our collaborative work with local officials, we are working to build a 21st century educational facility that will provide Ashland students with a top-notch learning environment,” said Treasurer Goldberg.

The proposed project would cost $67,355,042 in construction and ($84,100,000 total costs) replace the existing David Mindess Elementary School with a new facility serving grades 3-5 on the existing site. The District identified in its Statement of Interest, numerous deficiencies including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. In addition to the physical plant issues, the District reported that the existing facility does not support the delivery of its educational program as well as existing and projected overcrowding.

“The new David Mindess Elementary School will mean a better learning and teaching location for students and teachers,” stated Executive Director/Deputy CEO McCarthy.

The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over 1,750 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $14.4 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.