State finished reimbursing district for high school building project

The state School Building Authority approved the audit for Oakmont Regional High School's renovation project

State Senators Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) and Robert A. Antonioni (D-Leominster) and state Representative Robert L. Rice (D-Gardner) announced that the district would be reimbursed a total of $25,775,576.

The renovation, which was completed in 2003 was approved by the state Department of Education's (DOE) in 2001 at a reimbursement rate of 72.4% of the eligible project costs.

The total project cost over $35,561,481.

The MSBA has wired the final payment of $6,656,560 to the school district's account and this amount, combined with the Authority's payment of $19,119,016, represents 100% of the town's grant, according to Brewer's office.

"The expedited approval by the Massachusetts School Building Authority will lessen the debt burden faced by the towns of Ashburnham and Westminster," said Brewer. "I commend school and town officials and the MSBA for working together to ensure timely payments for this project. The Oakmont Regional High School represents our continued commitment to providing our students with new, modern institutions of learning, which will allow them to achieve at increasingly higher levels."

The district has already received reimbursement for the Westminster Elementary School building project.

The state is trying to finish reimbursing school district's for completed projects before the School Building Authority starts to consider new projects in July2007.

"I am delighted to see the final installment come to the Ashburnham-Westminster School District" said Antonioni. "This is a landmark day for the regional school system and will provide a lasting legacy for the children in these communities."