UPDATED: Fuller-Farley School Project Doesn't Make the Cut With The Commonwealth

Massachusetts did not approve Framingham Public School's proposed renovations at Fuller Middle School.

More than 200 applications were received to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, of which $500 million was available in state funding.

“While we are disappointed with the MSBA decision not to support our SOI at this time, we understand that it is not unusual to have to apply more than once to rise to the top of the State’s funding priority list," said Framingham Superintendent of schools Stacy Scott.  

The Framingham submission requested funding to conduct a feasibility study, conceptualize and plan renovations, identify funds for the estimated $48 million Fuller-Farley project, and ultimately break ground and complete construction.

The application sought "to assess the feasibility of the Fuller/Farley campus as the site of a renovated or new building or buildings to house 650 middle school students and 400-500 elementary students in the southern region of the District," wrote Framingham Public Schools in its submission to the state.  
"We are encouraged that our proposal is solid," said Scott. "We will make some modest improvements to ensure that we receive approval in the subsequent round that begins this April.”

Fuller Middle School, built in 1958, is the former Framingham South High School. It is located on Flagg Drive across the street from McCarthy Elementary School and adjacent to the former Farley school, currently the Framingham campus of Mass Bay Community College.

The Framingham Public School administration has stated the Fuller-Farley proposed project is needed to alleviate overcrowding in the schools.

School administration said Fuller is home to about 500 students, but the population is "expected to increase to 650 over the next 5 to 10 years."

In its application to the state, Framingham Schools said Fuller "is extremely inefficient due to surplus gymnasium space, inappropriately sized classrooms and extensive wide corridors."

The timeline had:

• Farley renovations beginning in 2015.
• Moving Fuller Middle School students to Farley in 2016.
• Beginning renovations at Fuller Middle in 2016.
• Completing Fuller Middle renovations in 2018.
• Possibly opening Farley as the town's ninth elementary school in 2019.

• Roof replacement in 1995
  
• Heating system converted from oil to natural gas and boilers replaced in 2005
  
• Auditorium renovated in 2007
  
• North masonry wall replaced in 2009
  
• ADA accessible ramp and railings installed at the main front entrance in 2010