$2 billion investment in Boston Public Schools includes new ‘green’ building projects, Mayor Michelle Wu says
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Thursday announced a $2 billion plan to overhaul Boston Public Schools facilities, which includes new construction and renovation projects, as well as districtwide upgrades. The plan will be kickstarted by a $605 million investment to launch new projects, with new staffing and planning tools, the mayor said.Wu said the Green New Deal for BPS will accelerate work to decarbonize the city’s building sector, while delivering urgent improvements to environmental health, justice and safety for BPS students, families and educators. The projects include 14 new school construction or major renovation projects, as well as significant upgrades to athletic facilities at White Stadium. Also included in the plan are district-wide capital investments that will bring facilities improvements to nearly every BPS community, including energy and water efficiency upgrades, the installation of solar panels, renovations to bathrooms and kitchens, schoolyard improvements, and the installation of air conditioners and drinking water fountains. “This is a new, all-hands on deck approach, with new financial resources, planning tools and staff capacity to deliver urgent improvements to our school buildings. With students, families, and educators at the table, we’ll continue investing until every school can cultivate the healthy, nurturing environment our kids deserve,” Wu said.Wu made the announcement in front of the McKinley Elementary School and McKinley South End Academy, which the city said is one of the highest needs school buildings in Boston, serving some of the city’s most marginalized students. McKinley is one of several schools targeted for major investment, Wu said. “Every child deserves a modern, up-to-date and well-equipped learning environment that stimulates their creativity and fuels their excitement about learning,” said Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools. “Creating high-quality schools in every neighborhood was a goal of mine when I first came to Boston. The city’s commitment to creating 21st-century school buildings and classrooms across Boston is an important step forward for our students and families, and for the entire BPS community.”The city is also investing in new tools to guide more transparent, data-based, effective decision-making on school facilities for future capital plans, Wu said.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Thursday announced a $2 billion plan to overhaul Boston Public Schools facilities, which includes new construction and renovation projects, as well as districtwide upgrades.
The plan will be kickstarted by a $605 million investment to launch new projects, with new staffing and planning tools, the mayor said.
Wu said the Green New Deal for BPS will accelerate work to decarbonize the city’s building sector, while delivering urgent improvements to environmental health, justice and safety for BPS students, families and educators.
The projects include 14 new school construction or major renovation projects, as well as significant upgrades to athletic facilities at White Stadium.
Also included in the plan are district-wide capital investments that will bring facilities improvements to nearly every BPS community, including energy and water efficiency upgrades, the installation of solar panels, renovations to bathrooms and kitchens, schoolyard improvements, and the installation of air conditioners and drinking water fountains.
“This is a new, all-hands on deck approach, with new financial resources, planning tools and staff capacity to deliver urgent improvements to our school buildings. With students, families, and educators at the table, we’ll continue investing until every school can cultivate the healthy, nurturing environment our kids deserve,” Wu said.
Wu made the announcement in front of the McKinley Elementary School and McKinley South End Academy, which the city said is one of the highest needs school buildings in Boston, serving some of the city’s most marginalized students.
McKinley is one of several schools targeted for major investment, Wu said.
“Every child deserves a modern, up-to-date and well-equipped learning environment that stimulates their creativity and fuels their excitement about learning,” said Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools. “Creating high-quality schools in every neighborhood was a goal of mine when I first came to Boston. The city’s commitment to creating 21st-century school buildings and classrooms across Boston is an important step forward for our students and families, and for the entire BPS community.”
The city is also investing in new tools to guide more transparent, data-based, effective decision-making on school facilities for future capital plans, Wu said.
