The next School Survey assessment is slated to launch in Fall 2024. The MSBA’s enabling statute requires that a periodic survey be conducted to assess the elementary and secondary public schools across the Commonwealth. The School Survey will include site visits at approximately 1,580 schools and the compilation of existing data at approximately 120 additional schools currently in the MSBA’s program pipeline. This will result in a published report sharing an understanding of the building condition and general environment for the Commonwealth’s public schools.
This assessment also 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. The data collected will help us understand how the needs of individual districts fit within the statewide spectrum of need.
Beginning in the fall, architectural and engineering experts will visit approximately 1,580 public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth to assess the general condition of each building. Buildings are evaluated regardless of whether or not the district has any plans for improvements or new schools. Site visits will not be conducted at schools in the MSBA’s program pipeline unless construction has been completed. Site visits at recently completed schools will establish a baseline for comparison in future assessments. 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.
SchoolSurvey@MassSchoolBuildings will notify Superintendents when there is an informational update or action required by districts. The School Survey webpage will be updated periodically and will ultimately publish information on our consultant, overall progress of the assessment, and past School Survey Reports. An update related to our consultant is anticipated in July, 2024, while an update related to the scheduling of site visits is anticipated in August, 2024.
The MSBA looks forward to working with Districts during the School Survey process. The cooperation of every district is essential in the production of this critical analytical tool to ensure that the children of the Commonwealth receive their education in a safe, sound, and sustainable environment.
