Project Advisory 100, May 2026

Update to the MSBA's Green Schools Program, Replaces Project Advisory 81

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) has reviewed information related to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) latest version of LEED, LEED v5, and the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) becoming a part of USGBC, which will affect the MSBA’s Green Schools Program. This policy update affects all new construction and major renovation/addition Core Program projects seeking Project Scope and Budget approval after January 1, 2026. For more detailed information, please review the updated memo linked below.

For Core Program projects that predate this policy update, refer to the MSBA Green Schools Program policies in effect at the time the project received Project Scope and Budget approval. This policy update applies to MSBA Core Program projects seeking Project Scope and Budget approval after January 1, 2026.

2023 Policy

2026 Policy

Using LEED-S, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of “Silver,” including a minimum total of three points (from seven points available) from the following three categories: 

  • MR Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients 

  • IEQ - Low Emitting Materials 

  • IEQ – Indoor Air Quality Assessment 

OR; 

Using NE-CHPS, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of “Verified”, including a minimum total of five points (from ten points available) from the following four categories: 

  • EQ 5.1.3 Indoor Air Quality Management – Building Flush Out 

  • EQ 7.0 Low Emitting Materials 

  • EQ 7.1 Additional Low Emitting Materials 

  • MW 10.1 Health Product Information Reporting 

AND; 

Meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements described in the MA DOER “Stretch Code Green Community” standards.

 

Using LEED v4/4.1*, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of “Silver,” including a minimum total of three points (from seven points available) from the following three categories:

  • MR Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients

  • IEQ - Low Emitting Materials

  • IEQ – Indoor Air Quality Assessment

OR;

Using LEED v5 for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of “Silver,” including a minimum total of three points (from ten points available) from the following four categories:

  • MRc3 – Low-Emitting Materials

  • MRc4 – Building Product Selection and Procurement

  • EQc1 – Enhanced Air Quality

  • EQc5 – Air Quality Testing and Monitoring

AND;

Meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements described in the MA DOER “Stretch” energy code standards.

 

Additional Reimbursement

2023 Policy

2026 Policy

For an additional reimbursement of 3% of the Estimated Basis of Total Facilities Grant, and in addition to the minimum requirements described above, projects must meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements described in the MA DOER “Opt-in Specialized Code” standards.

 

For an additional reimbursement of 1% of the Estimated Basis of Total Facilities Grant, and in addition to the minimum requirements described above, projects must achieve a minimum total of five points (from seven available points) in the LEED indoor air quality points noted above, or a minimum total of eight point (from ten available points) in the NE-CHPS indoor air quality points noted above.

 

For an additional reimbursement of 3% of the Estimated Basis of Total Facilities Grant, and in addition to the minimum requirements described above, projects must meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements described in the MA DOER “Specialized” energy code standards. 

 

For an additional reimbursement of 1% of the Estimated Basis of Total Facilities Grant, and in addition to the minimum requirements described above, projects must achieve a minimum total of five points (from seven points available) in the LEED v4/4.1* indoor air quality points noted above, or a minimum total of five points (from ten points available) in the LEED v5 indoor air quality points noted above.

 

* LEED v4/4.1 registration is subject to the transition timeline established by USGBC. The MSBA will recognize projects registered under LEED v4/4.1 while those rating systems remain open.

In anticipation of this change, Districts, OPMs and Design teams should be aware that it is incumbent upon the Districts and their Designers to design to the appropriate sustainable criteria and establish project costs accordingly. MSBA will not revise the agreed upon Total Maximum Facilities Grant in the Project Scope and Budget Agreement to accommodate any potential change in the scope of work or any unanticipated cost increases associated with this new policy.

These changes were noted in the Recommendation to Update the MSBA Green Schools Program Policy that was approved at the MSBA's Board of Directors Meeting on April 29, 2026. More information about the Green School Program can be found on the Green Schools page of the website. Any questions should be directed to MSBA Design Director, Karl Brown, AIA.