The state Legislature and governor have exempted the two school projects from an 80 percent cap on state aid.
This is an updated version of a story published Wednesday.
State Treasurer Steven Grossman, second from right, announces Wednesday at Springfield City Hall the state will pay costs not covered by the federal government to replace one city school and renovate a second. Both schools were hit by a tornado last year. Attending the announcement are state Sen. Gale D. Candaras, D-Wilbraham; left, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno; Jack McCarthy, executive director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority; Grossman, and state Sen. James T. Welch, D-West Springfield.SPRINGFIELD – State officials led by Treasurer Steven Grossman announced Wednesday the state will cover the gap in reimbursement for the construction of a new Elias Brookings Elementary School and the renovation-expansion of the Mary A. Dryden Veterans Memorial School.
Both were heavily damaged by last year's tornado.
Grossman, who serves as chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and joined by Executive Director Jack McCarthy, said during a press conference at City Hall that the state will strive to cover all costs not covered by federal disaster aid. The federal reimbursement will cover only tornado-related costs.
The exemption is permitted by a new state law passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Deval L. Patrick, they said.
“The MSBA is proud to stand with the city of Springfield and its children as we commit to fund and rebuild these two schools,” Grossman said.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said Grossman had pledged to do everything he could to help Springfield following last year’s tornado, and is showing he “is a man of his word.” Grossman had toured Springfield shortly after the tornado, including the two school sites, and promised to work with legislators to pursue up to 100 percent funding, excluding the federal disaster aid.
Under state law, the authority reimburses school projects up to an 80 percent cap, but that cap has been removed for the Brookings and Dryden projects, Grossman said. The exemption was approved under a state amendment sponsored by Sen. James T. Welch, D-West Springfield, and pushed also by Sen. Gale D. Candaras, D-Wilbraham, he said.
The goal is to relieve the city of its 20 percent share of costs, a move that will save millions of dollars, Grossman said.
Sarno praised Grossman and the state authority, and local legislators for their efforts.
Grossman timed the announcement with his visit to Springfield for the grand opening of the new Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy on State Street.
The specific amount of state funds that will be allocated for Brookings and Dryden is not yet determined as the city continues to pursue additional federal disaster aid for those projects from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The city is planning a $28 million project to build a new Brookings school at a nearby location on Walnut Street in Six Corners. The school was severely damaged in last year’s tornado, contributing to the state authority’s decision to fund a new building rather than renovations.
The city is planning a $14.3 million project to renovate and to build an addition at Dryden School The tornado caused significant damage including the roof and destruction of one wing, set to be replaced.
The Dryden project is hoped to begin by the end of this year, McCarthy said. The groundbreaking at Dryden is hoped to begin by late spring, he said.
The federal government funds up to 75 percent of costs that are directly related to the tornado, which the eligible costs still being negotiated with the city, officials said.
Welch said the additional state aid for the two school projects was “entirely a team effort” by local and state officials, understanding the need to provide the city with the resources to rebuild in the aftermath of the tornado.