MSBA 2011 Winter Brochure

Funding Affordable, Sustainable and Efficient Schools in Partnership with Local Communities

Somerville East Community School
Groundbreaking Ceremony
December 20, 2010

MSBA Fast Facts

• $7.4 Billion in payments to local communities
• Over $465 million in New Program savings-avoided costs due to the MSBA’s due diligence process
• Over $1.2 billion in MSBA supported school construction projects were out to bid in 2010
• Anticipated $540 million in projects in 2011
• Over 10,000 new school construction jobs from 2007-2011
• 600,000 students will have improved learning environments

Board of Directors

Chapter 208 of the Acts of 2004 created an independent public Authority, composed of a 7 member board, chaired by State Treasurer Steven Grossman, ending the former School Building Assistance Program administered by the Department of Education

More information on the MSBA's Board of Directors

Model School Program

The Model School Program seeks to effectively adapt and re-use the design of successful, recently constructed schools.

• Delivering effective schools by capitalizing on proven solutions
• Perpetuating cost-effective designs and best practices
• Making the design process more efficient and enhancing design coordination
• Compressing the design/bid schedule, reducing the impact and uncertainty of inflation on project costs
• Limiting construction change orders

Schools currently participating in the Model School Program:

Hampden-Wilbraham Minnechaug Regional High School, Plymouth North High School, Natick High School, East Bridgewater High School, Tewksbury Memorial High School, West Springfield High School, Norwood High School, Somerset-Berkley Regional High School, Quincy Middle School, Duxbury Middle/High School, Douglas Intermediate School

Green Repair Program

In August of 2010, the MSBA officially launched its $300 Million Green Repair Program. There are currently 140 Green Repair projects in the MSBA’s Capital Pipeline. This new program is for the repair or replacement of roofs, windows and/or boilers in public school facilities that are otherwise structurally, functionally and educationally sound. The main goals of the Green Repair Program are to improve learning environments for children and teachers, reduce energy use, and generate cost savings for districts. Total funding for the Green Repair Program is limited to $300 million.

Achievements

• Distributed over $7.4 billion in payments to local communities
• In 2010, MSBA funds leveraged local taxpayer monies to fund over $1.2 billion in school construction or repair projects
• Over 10,000 new school construction jobs from 2007-2011
• Committed to investing $300 million to upgrade and repair vocational technical high schools across the Commonwealth
• Launched a $300 million Green Repair Program for school roofs, windows and boilers
• Conducted two statewide comprehensive Needs Surveys, visiting every school in the state in 2006 & 2010
• Radically changed the way school construction grants are distributed, creating a pay/audit system that relieves local taxpayers of the burden of financing the state’s share of the project

The Process

The MSBA’s enabling statute places tremendous emphasis on planning, due diligence and prioritization of scarce MSBA resources. The statute and MSBA regulations also require collaboration between local districts and the MSBA during all phases of the process.

1. Identify the Problem
The local community identifies deficiencies in school facilities through the Statement of Interest (SOI) process.

2. Validate the Problem
The MSBA will analyze the SOIs, conduct senior study site visits, validate enrollment trends and forecasts, review educational programs and meet with local officials. Once validated, the MSBA’s Board of Directors will vote the SOI into the MSBA’s Capital Pipeline.

3. Evaluation of Potential Solutions
Through the Feasibility Study process, all potential solutions will be explored. Potential non-construction solutions such as regionalization or re-programming of spaces will be thoroughly reviewed. Recommendations of the most cost effective and educationally appropriate solutions will then be recommended to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

4. Confirm the Solution
Project scope, budget and schedule are agreed upon. Approval of the MSBA’s Board of Directors establishes the MSBA’s participation in the proposed project.

5. Implement the Agreed Upon Solution
The community and its project team advance design, generate construction documentation, procure bids and award construction contract. The MSBA will continue to monitor the progress of the project to confirm that it remains on track and on budget.Through its “pay-as-you-build” Progress Payment System, the MSBA reimburses districts for their share eligible project costs. The MSBA typically makes payment within 15 days of receiving a complete reimbursement request.
 

Green Schools Program

The MSBA has established several sustainable green programs for all MSBA-funded projects. These programs include updated standards for new and major renovation/addition projects as well as improved sustainable requirements for repair projects. The MSBA also requires and pays for the entire cost of building commissioning for all MSBA-funded projects to ensure that these buildings operate efficiently and as designed.

The MSBA’s Green Schools Program aims to encourage a high standard of sustainability for all MSBA-funded projects, providing financial incentive in the form of additional reimbursement of up to 2% of eligible project costs for new and major renovation/addition projects. The MSBA continuously monitors the effectiveness of its sustainable policies and make recommendations for improvement, with an emphasis on energy and cost savings, resulting in direct operational savings for school districts.

 Download PDF of the original brochure