Southeastern Breaks Ground on $32 Million Renovation Project

A $32 million project that will create sweeping changes to the building structure of broke ground Wednesday.

State and local officials were on hand for the ceremony.

"This is a celebration of a unity of learners who have come together every single day with educators," State Treasurer Steve Grossman said.

Grossman was the keynote speaker at the event. He was joined by the new head of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, Jack McCarthy, Brockton Mayor Linda Balzotti, Southeastern school committee members and Southeastern Superintendent Luis Lopes.

The project will add new science labs, expansions to health and medical facilities, expansions to culinary art facilities, the expansion of visual and performing arts facilities, a reconfiguration of the cafeteria, the relocation of a media center and a brand new gymnasium.

"The trades and skills that these students learn here, they can do almost anywhere," Balzotti said. "All of these projects put people to work and in these economic times, this is tremendously important and an added benefit.

The $32 million project, $25 million of which will be funded by the Massachsuetts School Building Authority, did not affect any of the communities Southeastern serves financially, Foxborough Finance Director William Scollins said.

"What is truly extraordinary is that the $32 million will not result in an assessment increase to any of the nine communities," he said. "The MSBA 80 percent contribution is the difference maker. Less would have made communities vote for an assessment increase."

The remaining funding came from capital planning, Chairman of the School Building Committee for MSBA Joseph Dutcher said.

"We all worked together to get on the same page so we could bring a finalized plan to the MSBA for funding," he said. "I would be remiss if I didn't give credit to the staff and students over the last 50 years who kept the school in such great condition so we could renovate and not tear down."

The funding is part of the MSBA's Vocational, Technical and Agricultural School Renew and Repair Program, which commits $100 million to upgrading and repairing nine schools across the state. The MSBA also already commits $200 million to Vocational schools.

Grossman said the term "No Limits" should describe the possibilities for every high school student across the state. He said the students in the audience should be proud to take part in the investment in education.

"This is a moment of coming together as a community," he said. "Of all the people here this morning, I'm so glad there are students here. I'm proud to sign this check."