FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2010

Rep. Bradley, Rep. Cantwell, Sen. Hedlund Announce School Building Assistance Funds for South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School

(BOSTON) – Representative Garrett J. Bradley (D-Hingham), Representative James Cantwell (D-Marshfield) and Senator Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) are pleased to announce that the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School has been approved to receive a grant worth up to $1,635,309 for the repair of the roof and windows.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority will determine the final grant amount based upon a review and audit of all project costs incurred by the school district, in accordance with the MSBA.

“As one of the original advocates in the House for the new school building assistance program, I am pleased to see the state’s funding support for this crucial repair work,” said Rep. Bradley.

“As someone who pushed for a reformed school building grant program in the Senate I am pleased to see that the new program continues to provide needed assistance to our local schools,” Sen. Hedlund said. “For years South Shore Vo-Tech has helped students from my district learn a trade, and it is important we keep this school properly maintained.”

Rep. Cantwell said he was pleased with the grant and highlighted South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School’s successful record.

“We want the best for all of our children,” he said.  “The best in terms of education, but that also extends to the necessary capital repairs that ensure they are in a safe environment that is in good repair.”

The school district has 120 days to acquire and certify local approval for an appropriation and all other necessary local votes showing acceptance of the proposed project.  Once that has been achieved, a Project Funding Agreement would be reached between the school district and the School Building Authority.  Once the agreement has been executed, the school would be eligible to submit requests for reimbursement from the Authority.

The funding is part of a larger $100 million MSBA Vocational, Technical and Agricultural School Renew and Repair Program designed to upgrade and repair such schools across the Commonwealth.  According to the Authority, most vocational schools have aging facilities and were built in the 1960s.

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