Q: What is the Needs Survey?
A: The Needs Survey is a statewide assessment of the general facility conditions at all public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth that may be eligible for a grant from the MSBA for a school construction, renovation or repair project. The MSBA sent design and engineering professionals to each school to evaluate several key factors including building systems conditions, general physical environment and space utilization.
Q: Why are you doing it?
A: The Needs Survey is designed to help the MSBA understand how the needs of individual school districts fit within the statewide spectrum of need. The data collected during the Needs Survey is critical to the MSBA’s efforts to ensure fair and equitable funding of school construction, renovation and repair projects across the Commonwealth.
Q: Is it the same as a Senior Study?
A: No. The Needs Survey is being conducted at all school facilities, not just those for which a Statement of Interest has been submitted to the MSBA. The goal of the Needs Survey is to assess the building systems conditions, general physical environment and space utilization at school facilities. Senior Studies and Facilities Assessments are more in-depth architectural and engineering studies of school facilities for which a district has submitted a Statement of Interest.
Q: Will the results of the Needs Survey impact a project I have already submitted for consideration?
A: The Needs Survey is being conducted to help the MSBA establish the current general conditions of the Commonwealth’s public elementary and secondary schools. While the data collected will help the MSBA understand and prioritize needs in both the short and the long term, it will not change the overall review process for funding.
Q: What if I haven’t yet submitted a Statement of Interest; will the Needs Survey change that process?
A: No. The data collected during the Needs Survey will not form the basis for funding decisions regarding individual districts. Districts will still be required to submit a Statement of Interest in order for a school to be considered for funding under the MSBA’s grant program.
Q: How many schools will be involved?
A: The MSBA is evaluating all public elementary, middle and high schools in the Commonwealth that may be eligible for a grant from the MSBA under Chapter 70B of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Q: Who is conducting the on-site assessments?
A: The MSBA is working with architects, engineers and building professionals who are experienced in the design, construction and repair of education facilities to conduct the on-site assessments.
Q: What will I need to do to be prepared?
A: Superintendents should designate a point person on their staff to work with the assessors to coordinate scheduling, respond to questions and provide basic information. In addition, superintendents should inform all of the district’s school principals about the Needs Survey, provide them with the list of information the assessors will need and let them know when the on-site assessment will be conducted at their schools . At the time of the assessor’s visit, either the school principal or someone with knowledge of the history and use of the building, as well as a member of the building’s facilities team should be available to accompany the assessor on the walkthrough.
Q: What will the assessors be looking at?
The assessors will be gathering basic data and information about the school facility, including:
- Gross Square Footage;
- Age of building(s), additions, and renovations;
- Classroom usage and counts;
- Core Facilities;
- Routine and capital maintenance practices; and
- General condition of 21 site and building systems, including parking lots, playgrounds and playfields, walkways and drop areas, exterior walls, windows, HVAC, roofs, electrical, plumbing, interior floors, ceiling, and walls).
Q: How long will the process take overall? How long will you be in my district or at my school?
A: It is anticipated that, from the initial scheduling call to completion of site visits will be approximately two weeks. Larger Districts will take more time. Each school site visit will last an average of two hours, although bigger schools such as large high schools and vocational-technical schools may last up to four hours. The overall time in the district is dependent on the number of schools in your district.
Q: Will my schools receive a “score” based on this process?
A: Each school will receive a comparative rating that will help the MSBA understand where individual school buildings fit within the statewide spectrum of building conditions. The rating is only one component in the MSBA’s decision on whether to fund individual school construction and renovation projects and does not, by itself, provide the basis for funding eligibility.
Q: What will be the result of the Needs Survey? Will you issue a report?
A: The MSBA will analyze the data collected by the assessors and develop a comprehensive report that summarizes the findings of the Needs Survey.
Q: Who can I contact for specific questions?
A: Should you have any questions about this initiative, please feel free to contact the MSBA by email at info@MassSchoolBuildings.org.