MSBA » FCTS Information per MSBA.

FCTS Information per MSBA.

FRANKLIN COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOL

82 Industrial Boulevard

Turners Falls, Massachusetts  01376

TEL:  413-863-9561              FAX:  413-863-2816

Richard J Martin

Superintendent                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                               

 

 

To Our Franklin County Communities,

 

Franklin County Technical School invites community members, town officials, and residents to attend one of three upcoming Informational Community Forums regarding the proposed new Franklin County Technical School building project.

 

These sessions will provide an overview of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process, the educational and facility needs driving this project, and how the proposal supports the future of vocational and technical education across our 19-town district.

 

Representatives from the architectural design team and Owner’s Project Management firm will also be on hand to present details of the proposed design, answer questions, and discuss the timeline and next steps. In addition, the projected fiscal impact to the district towns will be communicated to ensure transparency and understanding of the financial considerations involved.

 

Forum Dates & Location

 

All three sessions will be held at:

 

Greenfield Community College – Dining Commons

 

1 College Drive, Greenfield, MA

  • Monday, November 10, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Monday, February 9, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM   UPDATE: Tuesday, February 10, 2026                                                                                                               6:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday May 12, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Your input and participation are essential as we work together to ensure Franklin County Technical School continues to meet the educational and workforce needs of our students and communities for decades to come.

 

We hope you will join us at one of these sessions.

 

Sincerely,

 

Richard Martin

Superintendent

Franklin County Technical School

Why Does Franklin County Technical School Need a New Building?

Franklin County Technical School (FCTS), built in 1975, has served the community for nearly 50 years. However, the building has reached the end of its useful life, and critical systems are failing. Independent reviews by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) have confirmed that the facility is no longer adequate to support modern educational needs, which is why FCTS was accepted into the MSBA building project system. If a new building is not approved, the district will be forced to invest in a series of extraordinarily expensive infrastructure projects—each addressing outdated and deteriorating systems, but none solving the underlying problem of an aging facility.

 

1. Roof System
The school’s 160,000 sq. ft. roof has already undergone two major projects in the last 30 years, including a Cyclone roof coating 9 years ago. Since this option has already been used twice, the only viable next step is a complete tear-off and rebuild. This would involve replacing insulation, membranes, flashings, drains, and reinstalling all rooftop mechanical equipment. Estimated cost (2025): $12–17 million. This single project would be among the largest capital expenditures the district has ever faced.

 

2. Electrical System
FCTS still relies on outdated Federal Pacific breakers and switchgear, which are no longer manufactured and have already begun failing. Each replacement has cost between $50,000–$100,000, with $200,000 already spent on just two failures. More than a dozen vulnerable units remain. Without a full replacement, a catastrophic failure could force the school to close for weeks or months. Estimated cost (2025): $25–32 million for full electrical system replacement, including new switchgear, panels, distribution, and backup generators.

 

3. Plumbing, Water, and Sewage
All underground plumbing, water, and sewage systems are original to 1975. Breaks and leaks have already caused sewage hazards and odors under the building, disrupting the learning environment and creating health risks. These issues will worsen over time, increasing both cost and disruption. Estimated cost (2025): $8–10 million to replace underground systems.

 

4. Fire Sprinkler System
To comply with modern fire safety codes, FCTS would require a new wet-pipe sprinkler system across all 160,000 sq. ft. of the facility. This would include risers, piping, seismic bracing, new sprinkler heads, and a fire pump with upgraded water service. Full integration with the fire alarm and electrical systems would also be required. Because the building would remain occupied during construction, phased work and extensive safety precautions would add to the complexity and cost. Estimated cost (2025): $6–8 million.

 

5. Hazardous Materials Abatement

FCTS will be responsible for hazardous materials abatement that complies with state regulations. Materials such as oil, chemicals and other hazardous materials that pose a health risk or are damaging to the environment will need to be assessed and cleaned up. Estimated cost (2025): $5-6 million. 

Conclusion

If the community does not move forward with a new building, Franklin County Technical School will face unavoidable capital projects totaling $50–75 million just to keep the existing 1975 facility operational. These projects would cause prolonged disruption to students and staff while consuming resources that could otherwise be invested in a modern school designed for today’s educational and workforce training needs.