MSBA Director Craven answers last-minute questions about high school project

Date: 5/24/2010

May 24, 2010

By Kaitlyn Schroyer

Staff Intern



LONGMEADOW -- Last Wednesday, Longmeadow High School hosted Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Katherine Craven, who spoke about the project's process and answered questions about the building of a new high school.

Craven explained what would happen if the vote did not pass and the extensive process that the school district has gone through to get this far. She also assured those in attendance that once the MSBA and Longmeadow are in agreement, there is guaranteed funding. The MSBA cannot pull out once the contract is put in place as long as Longmeadow builds the school the specifications outlines.

"When you vote, it's the same project that you'll see at the end of the day," Craven stated at the meeting, "Bids have come in at less than expected. If this does, we share. The state does not take all of it."

Craven also assured there is money set aside for Longmeadow in the MSBA budget and that if everything goes according to plan, the town will receive the money quickly with the progress payment system, which is a pay as you go.

When asked how Longmeadow's amount for reimbursement compares to that of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional and Easthampton school districts, Craven explained the formula the MSBA uses for reimbursement.

"The formula for reimbursement consists of property wealth, income wealth and the number of kids in government free or reduced lunch," she said, "There are 31 base points and it goes from there. Longmeadow is at 47.84, Hampden-Wilbraham is at 53.7 and Easthampton is at 59.84. The biggest difference was the income wealth."

When the question was posed whether a renovation would be cheaper than a new school building, Craven said that it had been looked into.

"We looked at ways to renovate with the same quality. It was not comparably cheaper. The whole building would have to be gutted. This is a realistic estimate."

If the vote fails, Longmeadow would have to start the process over.

"There is no line," Craven explained. "This is a voluntary program with 500 Statements of Interest. The rules are consistent and fair for everyone. This is the project that was worked on and the MSBA voted on and this is the one that would have to go through."

A delay in the vote changes the price for the worst. Currently, there are good construction and borrowing rates. If the project is forced to wait, these rates could rise and so would the overall price.

"It's the right time to put projects out on the street," Craven said. "If you delay the vote and wait, then you could lose these rates. Longmeadow got to the top because of structural problems. The structure is not going to get better."

The competitive MSBA process, which is solely needs-based, is the reason Longmeadow rose quickly to the top of the the projects list. The MSBA did not pick Longmeadow -- Longmeadow came to them for help.

When asked whether townspeople that were not in politics or education had a say in the decision, Craven explained that there is a great representation of the town and all walks of life included.

"As many people as the town can bear are in the project," she stated. "The Statement of Interest was signed off by lots of people."

If residents have any questions regarding the school building and the MSBA, Craven is available to talk to.

"I'm pleased to tell and share information," she said.

E-mail Craven at longmeadow-sbc@yahoo.com to get answers to additional questions.