The Massachusetts School Building Authority ("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.
The MSBA, which has a dedicated revenue stream of one penny of the state’s 6.25-percent sales tax, is collaborating with municipalities to equitably invest in finding the right-sized, most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe, sound, and sustainable learning environments.
The MSBA has made more than $17.8 billion in reimbursements to cities, towns, and regional school districts for school construction projects. Instead of waiting years for reimbursement, districts now receive payments from the MSBA as costs are incurred, usually within 15 days of submitting a request through the MSBA’s online Pro-Pay System.
Achievements
To fulfill its mission of bringing reform and innovation to the school building process, the MSBA has accomplished the following:
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Since our 2004 inception, the MSBA has approved 1,138 projects and has made over $17.8 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects across the Commonwealth.
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The MSBA, through its grant program, has approved funding for a total of 983 Accelerated Repair Program and Core Program projects totaling $12.3 billion in grant funding since 2007.
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Recognizing the continued need and the success of the MSBA program to date, the legislature approved in the Commonwealth FY24 Budget, the second increase in the MSBA program by increasing the cap for approved Core Program projects to $1.2 billion effective July 1, 2023. This cap can be increased annually up to 6.5%, depending on the growth of the sales tax.
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In addition, with this legislation, the MSBA has been able to:
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Provide supplemental grant awards to 30 school districts affected by COVID inflation and has distributed the $100 million provided by the Legislature as of January 30, 2025.
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Reimburse an additional $133 million to these districts representing the MSBA’s share for a total increase of approximately $178 million.
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Invite a higher number of districts to the MSBA’s Core Program in both 2023 and 2024;
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Re-launch the MSBA’s Accelerated Repair Program, resulting in a higher level of invitations in October 2024. In total invitations were extended to 70 schools for 57 roofs and 17 windows and doors;
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Facilitate schools moving towards Massachusetts’ goal for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2025 ARP SOI opening introduced heat pump conversion projects to the scope of ARP filings; and
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Provide a 6.5% increase to the building and sitework funding limit to $645 per square foot, plus eligible demolition and abatement for construction costs, effective January 1, 2025.
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Currently, there are 465 projects that are either active or completed in the Accelerated Repair Program (ARP). The 465 projects are located in 148 districts, many of whom have been invited to the ARP multiple times.
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Currently, there are 353 projects that are either active or completed in the Core Program. The 353 projects are located in 219 Districts.
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The MSBA’s grant program supports construction bids of over $1 billion per year with projects forecast to bid through 2027.
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In FY24, a total of nine schools in the core program were completed including seven elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. These nine schools bring the total of completed schools to 244 as of December 2024.
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The MSBA is currently in the process of producing the 2025 School Survey. School surveys are conducted to assess the condition of all the elementary and secondary public schools across the Commonwealth. We completed Surveys in 2005, 2010, and 2016.
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The MSBA has funded 640 Commissioning Consultant contracts for both Core and ARP projects, totaling $50.9 million in commissioning fees for 857 projects at 708 schools.
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In March 2010, the MSBA launched its one-time, $300 million Green Repair Program. The MSBA completed 189 Green Repair Projects, and the program evolved into the MSBA's Accelerated Repair Program.
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We have completed final audits of 1,469 projects, totaling over $21.2 billion in submitted costs.
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In FY24, the MSBA made the final waitlist payment, completing payments on the work inherited from the previous School Building Assistance program, including 793 outstanding final audits and all payments for prior program and waitlist projects. In total, the MSBA eliminated approximately $10 billion in project obligations.
