Q: How were the 83 projects that the MSBA moved forward chosen?
A: The MSBA received 423 Statements of Interest (SOI) from 162 school districts. The MSBA required each district to identify their one priority SOI. Of those district- identified priorities, the MSBA performed several evaluations and site visits as part of the MSBA’s due diligence process. Based on that process, the MSBA then moved forward districts that met the criteria of having the most urgent and needy physical condition or overcrowding lending to poor educational environments.
Q: My district was one of the 83 districts that the MSBA moved forward to the next phase of its process. When will our district receive funding?
A: The invitation to collaborate on a Feasibility Study, Repair Assessment or Project Scope is not an approval of a project, but it is the next phase in the MSBA’s multiphase approval process. The approval process has several phases that require collaboration with the MSBA. To be eligible for project approval and funding, districts must follow the process as established in the MSBA’s statute and regulations which require MSBA collaboration and approval at each step of the process. Districts that move ahead without the approval of the MSBA will be ineligible for funding.
Q: My district was placed in the “Hold” or “Planning” categories. What does that mean?
A: Districts were placed in the Hold or Planning categories for several main reasons: a) the SOI did not clearly identify issues warranting MSBA action, b) in some instances, the issues identified in the SOI were not verified during MSBA diagnostic investigations, c) issues identified in the SOI were clearly stated and confirmed by diagnostic investigations but were not of sufficient severity or urgency to require further MSBA action at this time, or d) issues identified in the SOI may require long range planning.
The MSBA remains committed to working in partnership with districts that were placed in the Hold or Planning categories to better understand the issues they perceive with their school facilities and how they impact the district’s educational program.
Q. My district was placed in the Regionalization category. Our town has had multiple failed efforts in the past to regionalize with adjoining communities. What does this mean?
A: The MSBA must explore all potential solutions for school facility deficiencies including redistricting within the district, space planning, regionalization with neighboring districts and other non-construction solutions. All potential solutions must be explored as part of the collaborative process.
Q: Our district’s SOI was not on the list of 83 projects that the MSBA moved forward in the process in November. Should we prepare a Master Plan?
A: The MSBA believes that as a “best practice” every district should have an Educational and Facilities Master Plan. The Educational and Facilities Master Plan should consider the current and future educational needs of the community and the current and projected student enrollment. In addition, the Master Plan should assess the adequacy of the operational and capital budgets in meeting the desired educational services for the anticipated number of students.
The MSBA is in the process of developing guidelines and a web-based form for the submission of the information necessary to develop an Educational and Facilities Master Plan. In the future, this plan will be a prerequisite for MSBA funding.
Q: Our district’s SOI was not on the list of 83 priority projects that the MSBA announced in November. When can we reapply?
A: Once a district has submitted a complete SOI, it will not have to resubmit an SOI unless expressly directed to do so by the MSBA or unless facility conditions or enrollment have changed significantly. The MSBA is committed to collaborating with districts in understanding the status of their priority and any changes that may occur during the year and how the priority SOI’s need and urgency fits within the statewide spectrum of need.
Q: How long will the MSBA approval process take?
A: That depends on the district, the extent and urgency of the problems, the number of potential solutions that may need to be explored, the ability of the MSBA and the local district to agree upon an educationally and financially sound solution, the ability of the local district to fund their portion of the agreed upon solution, and many other factors that all could impact timing. The MSBA remains committed to collaborating with all districts and working as diligently as possible through all phases of project approval, design and construction
Q: If we’ve already completed a Feasibility Study, do we have to do it over again?
A: It is likely that previously completed studies will need to be enhanced given that feasibility studies performed in partnership with the MSBA will be much more robust than most studies that were done in the past. Also, much of the design criteria, code evaluations and other information generated in the Feasibility Study process are time-sensitive; therefore, studies that were performed some time ago will likely be out-dated and need to be revised.
Q: Will the MSBA share in the cost of a feasibility study?
A: Yes, the MSBA will reimburse a portion of the eligible costs of feasibility studies done in collaboration with the MSBA, based on a reimbursement rate determined by the MSBA.
Q: Can our district select any architect/designer that we want?
A: Under the MSBA’s statute and regulations, for projects with an estimated construction cost in excess of $5 million, the district will need to select a designer through the MSBA’s Designer Selection Panel (DSP). The district will be responsible for issuing a request for qualifications for designers. The DSP will evaluate the qualifications statements received and will refer a ranked list of up to three firms to the district. It is expected that the district will enter into a contract with the top-ranked firm. The DSP consists of 15 members, 12 permanent members and three members appointed by the school district.
Q: If I’ve already procured an architect, do I need to go through the process again with the MSBA Designer Selection Panel?
A: MSBA will determine the status on a case-by-case-basis. If substantial study/design work is already completed, it may not be necessary to re-procure designer services. If little design work has been performed and/or the procurement took place after the moratorium was lifted (after July 1, 2007) the MSBA will likely require that designer services be procured through the Designer Selection Panel (DSP).
Q. Is an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) required on every school construction project that moves forward in the MSBA Process?
A. Pursuant to state law, if the estimated construction cost is estimated to be $1.5 million or greater an OPM is required. For school construction or renovation projects seeking funding from the MSBA, the MSBA must approve the OPM. In some instances the MSBA will require an OPM for projects under the $1.5 million threshold.
Q. If our district has someone on staff that we believe would qualify as an Owner’s Project Manager, can we appoint them the OPM on our project?
A. The regulations and statute do provide that a public agency may allow an existing employee to serve as the OPM, however, they are subject to the same qualification requirements as outside entity and the MSBA must approve all OPM’s for school construction and renovation projects. The selection and approval process is a qualifications-based process and the MSBA regulations require an OPM be a person with 5 years of experience in the construction and supervision of public buildings, school buildings in particular if registered by the Commonwealth as a professional engineer or architect. If a candidate is not registered, they must have 7 years of experience in the construction and supervision of public buildings. The stated experience must be similar in type, size, dollar value and complexity to the project being considered. For additional information on the MSBA’s OPM approval process and requirements please contact Mary Pichetti at 617-720-4466.
Q: How are reimbursement rates determined?
A: The reimbursement rate is determined by the MSBA based on the three socioeconomic factors, as set forth in the MSBA's statute: (1) per capita income as a percentage of the state average, (2) per capita equalized assessed value as a percentage of the state average, and (3) percentage of the school population eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. In addition to the socioeconomic factors above, there are various categories of incentive reimbursement points for which a district may be eligible based on a determination by the MSBA.
Q: How much money does the MSBA have to spend on projects?
A: The MSBA is committed to funding approximately $2.5 billion in projects over the next 5 years as part of its 5-year capital plan. The MSBA did move 83 projects to the next phase of the process, but no projects have been formally approved and no funding has been committed.
Q: Can my district go ahead and begin designing and building a school project and apply for funding at some point in the future?
A: No. Any District that moves ahead on a project without collaborating with the MSBA will not be eligible for funding. Districts who want a grant from the MSBA must follow the MSBA’s process, rules and regulations. Districts that move ahead with feasibility studies, designs or construction will be ineligible for approval or reimbursement.
Q: Was the Statement of Interest (SOI) process a one-time opportunity to request grant funding?
A: No. The MSBA will begin accepting new SOI's later this spring for the 2008 grant process. Districts are reminded that they do not have to resubmit SOI's from the prior year unless expressly requested to do so by the MSBA. Also, for those districts wishing to submit more than one SOI, the District will be required to identify one priority problem on which the MSBA can focus its due diligence process.