Pittsfield Public Schools

Submission of a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority

February 14, 2024 School Committee Meeting

The Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (the "MSBA's") grant program is a non-entitlement, competitive program, and its grants are distributed by the MSBA Board of Directors based on need and urgency, as expressed by the district and validated by the MSBA. The MSBA completes an exhaustive review of available information regarding all districts that submit a Statement of Interest ("SOI") for the Core Program each year.

Massachusetts School Building Authority

Program Goals

• To determine those schools that are the most urgent and needy relative to the pool of SOI submittals filed in that year. The MSBA considers many factors when looking at the totality of the SOIs including, but not limited to, the age of the building, the amount of space per student, the current and projected enrollment, the condition of the major systems of the school, the general environment of the building and the appropriateness of the building to the educational mission;
• To collaborate with districts on the potential project that they have identified as the priority school if they are filing more than one SOI for that given year;
• To understand if the MSBA is currently partnering with the district on another Core Program project already underway; and
• To understand the range of options each district faces when planning for district-wide educational facilities

MSBA Statement of Interest Priorities

The MSBA has established the Statement of Interest Form as the first step in the Application Process. The purpose of the SOI is to ascertain from communities whether they believe they have any deficiencies in their school facility that meets one or more of the statutory priorities.

(1.) Replacement or renovation of a building which is structurally unsound or otherwise in a condition seriously jeopardizing the health and safety of school children, where no alternative exists; as determined in the judgment of the Authority;

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(2.) Elimination of existing severe overcrowding; as determined in the judgment of the Authority;

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(3.) Prevention of loss of accreditation; as determined in the judgment of the Authority;

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(4.) Prevention of severe overcrowding expected to result from increased enrollments, which must be substantiated; as determined in the judgment of the Authority;

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(5.) Replacement, renovation or modernization of the heating system in any schoolhouse to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in the schoolhouse; as determined in the judgment of Authority;

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(6.) Short term enrollment growth; as determined in the judgment of the Authority;

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(7.) Replacement or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements; as determined in the judgments of the Authority;

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(8.) Transition from court-ordered and board approved racial balance school districts to walk-to, so-called, or other school districts; as determined in the judgment of the Authority.

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MSBA Deadlines

Accelerated Repair Program Statement of Interest submissions are due by Friday, March 1, 2024.

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Core Program Statement of Interest submissions are due by Friday, April 12, 2024.

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PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2023-2024

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Possible Statement of Interest for a new building on the Westside

• Site of the greatest opportunity for a proposal/school construction - The Crosby Campus on West St.
• Large area to build, least disruption
• Potential for both a lower elementary and upper elementary school constructed on the same site
• Statement of Interest Due - April 12 2024 - Determinations if invited into MSBA Program - December 2024

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PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2023-2024

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Existing Attendance Zones

Existing Attendance Zones

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PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2023-2024

Proposed Attendance Zones (Conceptual)

Three Elementary Campuses PreK - 4

Conceptual Attendance Zones

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PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2023-2024

Two Campuses on One Site Elementary School

New School Project Schedule - Longest Timeline

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PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2023-2024

Pittsfield Public Schools Facilities and School Structure Study

2024

February March April December

Rank Grade Alignments

Complete Master Plan Study

Select Preferred School for SOI

Prepare SOI

Submit SOI

SOI Accepted

2025

October

Feasibility Funding

2026

October December

Feasibility Study

Project Funding

2028 - 29

Design

2027

Construction

2029

Open New School

Timeline

Pittsfield Public Schools District Master Plan

DRAFT

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Proposed Local Decision Dates

Joint City Council and School Committee Informational Workshop on the SOI

proposed date: March 6, 2024

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The PPS School Committee must first authorize the Superintendent to submit a SOI.

proposed date: March 13, 2024

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The Pittsfield City Council must also authorize the Superintendent to submit a SOI

proposed date: March 26, 2024

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State of Interest Application

Priority declaration

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Master facilities plan

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State of Interest Application

Fiscal state

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Local actions needed for funding approval

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State of Interest Application

building history

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site description

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State of Interest Application

Roof and Windows

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State of Interest Application

mechanical systems

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HVAC

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building interior

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space & programs

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enrollment

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State of Interest Application

capacity

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space utilizations

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maintenance and capital repairs

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State of Interest Application

final priority selection and explanation

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State of Interest Application

signatures

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State of Interest Application

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State of Interest Application

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State of Interest Application

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SOI Vote Requirements

Thank You!

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