Briggs receives money from MSBA
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The Massachusetts School Building Authority approved the fourth quarter prior grant distribution for the Briggs Elementary School this week.

Briggs Elementary School was awarded a prior grant distribution of $48,163 by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

This grant is processed on a quarterly basis and can be viewed online at www.massschoolbuildings.org as well.

"I am very glad to see that Briggs Elementary School will be receiving aid from MSBA," said Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre)."I commend MSBA for working with all the schools in Massachusetts to ensure that our children are provided with every opportunity to succeed."

"I recognize the importance of the Commonwealth's financial commitment to the School District, and am pleased with the School Building Authority's performance in making its payment on time, allowing the District to meet its fiscal obligations. I commend the School District's officials for their ongoing efforts to offer a quality facility for their students," Representative Robert L. Rice, Jr. (DGardner) added.

School and town officials have applied to the School Building Authority for a grant from the building authority to renovate the elementary school.

The building has been evaluated by the building authority and the locally appointed building committee has been meeting since the fall to develop a building plan. They committee has been trying to determine what community uses should go in the building, if any, as well as trying to determine what type of green energy uses can be incorporated.

The state program to reimburse school districts and towns for school building projects has had a four-year moratorium, while the program was moved from the Department of Education to the State Treasurer's Office.

During the switch the building authority began reimburse towns for completed school projects. The Oakmont and Westminster Elementary school building projects reimbursements have been paid in full.

This coming fiscal year 2008, MSBA will be awarding $370,190,220 to schools in Massachusetts.