Framingham Public Schools
Robert A. Tremblay, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
Rochelle Santos
Media and Communications Manager
73 Mount Wayte Avenue, Suite #5
Framingham, Massachusetts 01702
rsantos@framingham.k12.ma.us
774-388-7121
FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS EXTEND LEASE FOR MASSBAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Lease extension keeps MassBay’s presence in Framingham to support school partnerships, local economy and workforce training
June 20, 2019 (Framingham, MA) - Last night the Framingham School Committee voted unanimously to renew the School District’s lease of the Farley Building with MassBay Community College, securing their presence in Framingham. MassBay intends to continue their use of this site while it finalizes the construction plans for a new Framingham campus.
“MassBay Community College remains a critical partner for the Framingham Public Schools,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Tremblay. “From dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, to STEAM based summer programming with middle school students, MassBay has been a key ally helping to advance critical programs for the district. The lease extension ensures that MassBay remains in Framingham and comes at an important time as we begin to build out early college pathway programs for Framingham High students.”
“We are grateful to the Framingham School District and Superintendent Tremblay for their support and renewal of the Farley Building lease to ensure MassBay’s programs stay in Framingham while we construct our new building,” said Dr. David Podell, President of MassBay Community College. “We consider the Framingham Public Schools to be a critical partner in our mission to build a well-educated and skilled workforce to strengthen the MetroWest economy.”
Last fall, MassBay Community College announced that have been awarded $25 million from the Commonwealth’s Capital Plan to invest in a new MassBay Health Science Center in Framingham. Until that facility’s construction is complete they intend to remain in the Farley Building. Rent payments from the lease are provided to the City of Framingham and are used as part of the city’s annual budget. As part of the lease renewal, MassBay Community College will continue to operate within the same approximately 90,000 square foot area they currently occupy. One notable change is that the Farley Gym will now be made available for District and community usage, when not in use by MassBay.
The length of the lease is for at least two years, with the District and MassBay set to come back together in 2020 to discuss an additional extension before MassBay’s new campus is completed. At that time, the next lease extension is anticipated to include a reduced MassBay footprint in order to support their transition to the new Framingham campus, as well as the District’s strategic plan for Farley, inclusive of Buildings & Grounds, the Parent Information Center, and Adult ESL anticipated to be housed there beginning in 2021. MassBay anticipates moving out of the Farley Building in 2023.
MassBay Community College’s efforts and partnerships with local organizations and the Framingham Public Schools have been impactful, and can continue to thrive with this lease renewal. In recent years MassBay’s academic programs have forged important partnerships with dozens of Framingham-based businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations. These organizations serve as practicum, internship and clinical sites for students during their studies at MassBay. More than 50 Framingham residents work at MassBay, one out of every eight new students at MassBay are Framingham residents, and over the last decade over 5,000 Framingham residents have enrolled in a class at MassBay.
Additionally, Framingham High School has topped the list of MassBay’s feeder high schools for decades. Last fall, hundreds of Framingham High School and Keefe Tech students benefited from MassBay’s dual enrollment opportunities, earning valuable college credit before graduating from high school. Last month the District, MassBay, Framingham State University, and other partners announced a $600,0000 grant from the Smith Family Foundation for the MetroWest Scholars Early Start Program. This funding will support innovative educational initiatives to increase 8-12 college and career readiness and establish a pipeline to post-secondary options for Framingham Public School students. The partnership will provide students who are under-represented in college admission access to courses that earn both high school and college credit. Last week, this effort received an additional $140,000 through a state grant.
About Framingham Public Schools
The mission of the Framingham Public Schools is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically-thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by highly-qualified staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with our entire community. For news, updates, and announcements, follow Framingham Public Schools (@FraminghamPS) on Facebook, Twitter, and (@framinghamschools) on Instagram. You can also join the conversation using #FraminghamSchools.
About MassBay Community College
MassBay in Framingham offers Associate degree and certificate programs in Radiologic Technology, Surgical Technology, Central Processing Technology, Paramedicine, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Nursing, Phlebotomy, and Medical Coding. MassBay Community College was recently ranked by the Brookings Institution as one of the top schools for value added and earned salaries in the workforce. Ranked #1 for 2-year colleges in Massachusetts, #2 in New England and ranked #16 nationally. The College’s facilities in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland house day, evening and weekend classes that meet the needs of degree-seeking students and career minded life-long learners. Online options provide convenience and allow faculty to facilitate the learning process. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and strives to meet the needs of the diverse local communities it serves.
