“The GMS Building Project is an exciting and inspiring opportunity to bring a state-of-the-art facility to the Canton community. It will energize and elevate the entire Canton Public School District at all levels, and it will provide our middle school students and staff with an exceptional learning environment. It has the potential to be a crown jewel for our community.” – Derek Folan, Superintendent

What’s Happening So Far

On June 12 the school building committee were presented with multiple options of project scope and budgets in order to finalize the option that was submitted to the MSBA on June 27 for Schematic Design submission. Click below to view the presentation.

The schematic design submission was sent to the MSBA on June 27 and the project team received comments back from MSBA which were responded to. The project was on the agenda for the August 28 Board of Directors meeting where the project was unanimously approved to move forward to enter into a Project Funding Agreement with the MSBA, pending the Town of Canton approval of funding at the Town meetings on November 18/December 10, 2024.

On Wednesday February 1 the school committee were presented with an extensive update of where the building project process is now. Click the link below to watch the video and to view the presentation.

On Wednesday December 20th the School Committee and the School Building Committee held a joint meeting to vote on two critical topics in the MSBA/GMS process – grade configuration and the consideration of a full auditorium.

The School Committee approved a 5-8 Grade Configuration for a new Galvin Middle School. Ultimately, the shift provides enhanced educational opportunities for our students and staff in a state-of-the-art building, and it alleviates the overcrowding in the elementary schools.

The School Building Committee also voted to endorse a full 800-seat auditorium for the new Galvin Middle School. There is a thriving programs for all grade levels, during the school day and extra-curriculars. There was overwhelming support for this space. In fact, the original design called for 600 seats, but the SBC made the motion and approved an 800-seat auditorium.

On Wednesday January 24th the School Building Committee also completed another milestone in the feasibility study process by voting to proceed with CM-at-Risk procurement. The first step will be to submit the project to the Inspector General’s Office followed by advertising for CM’s and request Qualification Statements.

Project Overview

On June 10, 2021, Canton Public Schools submitted a Statement of Interest (Attachment A) to the MSBA for the William H. Galvin Middle School. The MSBA is an independent public authority that administers and funds a program for grants to eligible cities, towns, and regional school districts for school construction and renovation projects. The MSBA’s grant program is discretionary, and no city, town, or regional school district has any entitlement to any funds from the MSBA. After many previous attempts to get accepted into the program, at the Board of Directors meeting in March 2022, the MSBA voted to invite the William H. Galvin Middle School into the feasibility study for this Statement of Interest to identify and study possible solutions and, through a collaborative process with the MSBA, reach a mutually-agreed upon solution.

Project Timeline and Status

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