MSBA Community Letter

March 2, 2022

Dear Canton Families and Staff,

We are writing to you with great enthusiasm and phenomenal news for the Canton Public Schools District. During a meeting today, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) voted to accept the William H. Galvin Middle School Building Project into the MSBA Core Program.

Today's acceptance into the MSBA Core Program begins a partnership between the District and MSBA to assist in the program development and funding of new school construction or additions/renovations of the Galvin Middle School.

Over the next several months, the District will participate in the MSBA's Eligibility Period during which the District will complete several preliminary requirements, including submitting forms and data on current and proposed educational facilities, maintenance practices, teaching methodology, grade configurations and program offerings. The District will also form a School Building Committee.

Community engagement, information sessions, and regular communication with further details will be forthcoming, as this is a multi-year process. For now, as a school community, we have the opportunity to celebrate the clear path to a renovated or new GMS building -- one that will surely amplify and energize our entire school community. 

The District would like to thank the Town of Canton and the school community, the School Committee, the Canton Select Board and town officials, and the CPS staff for the unwavering support through the years to reach this milestone. The Statement of Interest (SOI) was born out of a Comprehensive Facilities Assessment in 2017, and it truly represented a community effort, stakeholder engagement, and professional guidance.

A special thank you to State Representative William Galvin and State Senator Walter Timilty for their incredible support and endorsement of the MSBA Statement of Interest. Both Rep. Galvin and Senator Timilty attended our Senior Study meetings in the fall and walked the GMS building with MSBA officials. And today, they both attended the MSBA Board Meeting and provided a statement of support for the GMS project. 

During the meeting, I had the honor of reading a letter of support for the GMS project on behalf of the CPS District. I noted that Canton is an amazing, passionate and supportive town and the school system is a point of pride and the centerpiece for the community. We have a strong and innovative vision to elevate student achievement and growth for all students and to champion educational excellence, equity, inspiration, and joy. 

Today’s incredible news not only starts our GMS building project process, but also sparks our collective work to achieve a world-class learning experience at every level. 

Sincerely,

Derek Folan
Interim Superintendent

Sarah Shannon
Interim Assistant Superintendent