Accelerated Repair Program

As a result of the lessons learned from its Green Repair Program, the MSBA instituted the Accelerated Repair Program ("ARP") in 2012. The ARP focuses on the preservation of existing assets by performing energy-efficient and cost-saving upgrades, which will result in direct operational savings for school districts. In order to maximize the impact of the ARP, districts are required to use pre-selected consultants and appropriate funding quickly to adhere to an accelerated project schedule.

Overview

After a temporary, one-year pause to the ARP in 2023, the MSBA Board of Directors voted to reopen the Program in 2024 with an increased estimated budget following the approval of the Commonwealth’s FY 24 Budget, which provides that grant amounts related to the ARP shall not be calculated as part of the MSBA’s Annual Cap limit, as set forth in Section 7 of Chapter 70B of the General Laws. For additional information, please refer to the October 25, 2023 Board of Directors memorandum, which details the recommendations specific to the ARP.

Timeline for ARP SOI Opening

Commencing in January 2025, the ARP will have a biennial Statement of Interest (“SOI”) opening (every two years). Districts will file SOIs biennially and staff will review invitations for roofs and windows/doors based on a budget of $300 million (representing two years’ worth of projects) and for heat pump conversion projects based on a budget of $250 million (representing two years’ worth of projects). The MSBA believes that a biennial opening will provide more predictability and flexibility for local officials who are administering facilities improvements in their districts. Furthermore, the MSBA believes that pacing the start dates for invited districts will not only help mitigate the impact of introducing so many projects into the construction market but will also help support districts who may need longer preparatory time than the former iteration of the ARP allowed.  

Historically, ARP SOI openings begin in January and close in March with invitations anticipated at the October Board of Directors meeting all within the same year. Please reference the latest ARP SOI Overview to view the changes to the ARP in 2025 and determine if submitting a SOI for a potential ARP project in 2027 or beyond may be appropriate for your district. Please note an updated ARP SOI Overview will be issued ahead of each SOI biennial opening.

Heat Pump Conversion

To facilitate schools moving toward Massachusetts’ goal for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the MSBA is introducing heat pump conversion projects in 2025. Beginning in June 2024, the MSBA began a study to further understand scope, schedule, and cost factors that could impact the conversion of existing public-school facilities to heat pumps for heating and cooling. The report, which recommends technical and programmatic approaches to inform the MSBA’s grant program to best support heat pump conversion within the ARP, can be found here.

Repair Program Historical Data

Districts with repair needs in their school facilities that inhibit the cost-effective and energy-efficient delivery of the district’s educational program have expressed interest in the ARP through the MSBA’s SOI process. Since 2010, districts have been participating in our Repair Programs as indicated in the table below: 

Repair Program Districts Schools Total Project Budgets Maximum Facility Grants Number of Projects Final Audit Approved
2025 Accelerated 45 93     0
2024 Accelerated  35 65 $220,124,835 $141,562,512 0
2022 Accelerated  12 27 $86,949,136 $55,301,436 0
2021 Accelerated  15 26 $109,602,763 $59,925,011 4
2020 Accelerated  15 21 $81,731,451 $43,329,550 5
2019 Accelerated 24 38 $85,180,989 $52,047,959 33
2018 Accelerated 20 30 $83,172,480 $47,018,557 19
2017 Accelerated 19 34 $117,020,597 $73,280,673 26
2016 Accelerated 28 48 $156,598,234 $83,007,586 40
2015 Accelerated 24 43 $136,680,652 $91,974,052 43
2014 Accelerated 34 47 $108,410,084 $65,388,035 47
2013 Accelerated 25 45 $94,650,790 $54,662,551 45
2012 Accelerated 24 36 $63,009,653 $38,267,952 36
Green 93 189 $366,647,226 $222,889,218 189
*Financial totals reflect Project Funding Agreement approvals through the October 29, 2025 Board of Directors Meeting.

Prerequisite Documents

Consultant Contracts and Assignment Procedure

Schematic Design/Project Funding Agreement (PFA) Approval

DD/CD Submission Checklist

Construction & Closeout

Questions about the Accelerated Repair Program? Please click here.