Worcester Shares Doherty School Building Lessons At Statewide Seminar

WORCESTER, MA — State and city leaders gathered at Doherty Memorial High School last week for a workshop designed to help school districts learn from recently completed construction projects.

The Story of a Building seminar highlighted Worcester’s experience in planning, designing and building the new Doherty Memorial High School, as well as its use of state funding programs to repair and upgrade other schools. The construction of the school at 299 Highland St. was completed back in 2024 after three years of work.

The event on Apr. 16 was hosted by the MSBA, State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, the Office of the Inspector General and the City of Worcester.

Officials said the goal of the seminar is to help districts entering the MSBA pipeline learn best practices, avoid common challenges and better understand the school construction process from start to finish.

Speakers included Superintendent Brian Allen, City Manager Eric Batista, Principal John Staley, Mayor Joseph Petty, and state officials, along with members of the project’s design and construction teams and students involved in the process.

Worcester has partnered with the MSBA on 43 school projects and is currently working on additional upgrades, including early-stage planning for Burncoat High School.

State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg said the program gives districts a “practical look” at how to successfully move projects from concept to completion, while local leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration and long-term planning in delivering modern school facilities.

“Thank you to Treasurer Goldberg and the MSBA for
highlighting the success of Doherty High School and what can be accomplished when people, committees, and agencies come together under a unified vision and a commitment to educational and fiscal responsibility," said Mayor Petty.

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