Senator Cindy Friedman made a brief statement in support of the project at the Special Town Meeting on April 29. Her remarks focused on what would happen if the voters do not pass the June 11 debt exclusion, thus turning down state funds. In summary:
- Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funding is highly competitive
- Only 12-15 out of 70 districts receive core funding each year. In 2018, only 12 districts received funding – an all time low number of districts due to higher construction costs
- Prior MSBA funding approval is not considered when districts reapply
- Likely 8 yr delay (~2030) in project completion