Higgins School may get state money

PEABODY-Despite the rain clouds, the future?s looking brighter for Peabody?s Higgins Middle School.The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) announced Friday afternoon that the roughly 50-year-old school has been removed of its “hold status” in its quest for state-funded repairs.The school filed a Statement of Interest (SOI) back July 2007 and has waited patiently for any glimpse of hope that funding would come its way. The Higgins faced a bit of a let down when the request was placed on hold due to the state?s unstable economy, but all parties remained hopeful. The news Friday came as a “pleasant surprise,” said Superintendent Milton Burnett.?This is wonderful,” he said. “This is very, very, very good news. It?s something we?ve been looking and hoping for. This is the best way to end the week.”The movement of the SOI is a positive sign that the Higgins will soon get the state aid needed to make an abundance of long-overdue repairs. Burnett rattled off a to-do list that included replacing the roof, installing a new HVAC system, replacing the entire window structure, improving classroom facilities, science labs, and the overall technology used throughout the school. Instructional improvements would also be addressed.?This recommendation to move the J. Henry Higgins Middle School project to the repair assessment category is the culmination of months of due diligence and analysis by the MSBA to determine which school facilities across the Commonwealth are in most need of capital investment,” stated the press release from the MSBA.Over 423 SOIs were received by the state from 162 different schools. The ones chosen to move forward were regarded as “the neediest.”?The MSBA has determined that a repair project on the middle school would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program,” the release continued.The next step in the process would involve reviewing all studies, assessments, and available data that Peabody has already prepared. Burnett said that the schools would soon consult an engineer or architect to further investigate the actual scope of the project and inform MSBA of their findings.How much of the project the MSBA would be willing and able to provide funding for has yet to be determined. Once that amount is decided upon, the issue will go before Mayor Michael Bonfanti to appropriate the remaining needed funds, if necessary. Burnett said he is “very confident” that Bonfanti will be behind it.?Immediately upon approval, we?ll start looking for a consultant,” said Burnett. “We want to begin as soon as possible.”?We look forward to working with Peabody to solve the middle school?s facility deficiencies,” said Katherine Craven, MSBA executive director.”