June, 2016
Dear Superintendent:
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) is preparing to launch its next School Survey assessment. The MSBA’s enabling statute requires that a periodic survey be conducted to assess the condition of the more than 1,750 elementary and secondary public schools across the Commonwealth. The data collected will help us understand how the needs of individual districts fit within the statewide spectrum of need.
The MSBA is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient schools across Massachusetts. In its ten-year history, the MSBA has made more than $12 billion in reimbursements to cities, towns, and regional school districts for school construction projects. During this period, the MSBA has improved facilities for over 600,000 students. Districts are reimbursed by the MSBA as costs are incurred, usually within 15 days of submitting a request. These timely payments have saved municipalities over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs. This assessment serves as an important tool that will provide the MSBA and districts with accurate and up-to-date data, allowing us to continue to prioritize needs and respond to districts in a more effective manner.
Beginning in the fall, architectural and engineering experts will visit every public elementary and secondary school in the Commonwealth to assess the general condition of each building. The assessment will evaluate several key factors, including: condition, capacity, maintenance, and educational environment. The data collected during this assessment is just one factor used to determine which school facilities present the highest level of need and urgency, and the results are not the sole basis the MSBA uses to determine any district’s eligibility for funding. Buildings are evaluated regardless of whether or not the district has any plans for improvements or new schools; however, we do anticipate that buildings currently slated for upgrades or recently constructed in partnership with the MSBA will not be assessed at this time.
In the coming weeks you will receive more detailed information about the assessment visits from the MSBA’s survey consultant, STV Incorporated. STV will review the detailed information with you, confirm dates of visits and answer questions you may have. Please note that this is a general facility assessment meant to establish a baseline for all of the Commonwealth’s schools. Click here for additional information about this initiative or to view the 2010 Needs Survey report.
Please circulate the contents of this email communication to your school committee and municipal officials. Your continued cooperation remains essential in ensuring the production of this critical analytical tool. We look forward to working with you to ensure that the children of the Commonwealth receive their education in a safe, sound, and sustainable environment.
Sincerely,
Maureen Valente Chief Executive Officer |
John K. McCarthy Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director |