Blackstone‑Millville committee unanimously approves MSBA statement of interest for high‑school work

The Blackstone‑Millville Regional School District School Committee voted unanimously April 7 to authorize Superintendent Jason DeFalco to submit a Mass. School Building Authority (MSBA) Statement of Interest for the district’s high school, the committee agreed.

The committee voted to submit priorities five and seven — work to modernize facility systems (roofs, windows, boilers, HVAC) and to replace or add to obsolete space to meet program needs — and struck 'priority one' from the draft language at the administration’s recommendation. "We are requesting that the school committee vote the language as stated in your packet," Superintendent Jason DeFalco said as he introduced the MSBA text provided by the authority.

Why it matters: MSBA acceptance of a Statement of Interest does not guarantee an application will be invited or funded, but it is the required first step for districts seeking state support for major capital projects. Committee members said they wanted the district’s language to match MSBA framing exactly before submission.

Committee discussion and vote: Administration explained that some sections of the MSBA template are intended to be tailored by district staff. A staff member stated that striking priority one would not alter the committee’s intent but would align the packet with MSBA guidance. A motion to approve the MSBA language (with priority one stricken) was made, seconded and approved by voice; the committee recorded the vote as unanimous.

Next steps: Superintendent DeFalco was asked to notify the committee once the submission is filed with MSBA and to continue engagement with local finance committees on the feasibility and timeline for any future application and potential grant request.

Ending: The committee approved the SOI language and moved on to other agenda items; no application or grant award was guaranteed by the vote.