The MSBA Process
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) funds capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools as a quasi-independent government authority and strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy-efficient schools across Massachusetts. The MSBA opens a Statement of Interest period each year for districts seeking state assistance for proposed school projects. The MSBA reviews all Statements of Interest and advances a portion of eligible projects, at the discretion of MSBA staff, for further review. In late 2023 the MSBA advanced Somerville’s proposal for a new PK-8 school.
Current Status
The City is currently progressing through Module (or Phase) 2 of the MSBA Process.
This includes undertaking formal procurement processes to hire an Owner’s Project Manager to oversee the project, and then a Design/Architecture firm. In both processes, the School Building Committee will be directly involved and the MSBA will ultimately need to approve the hires.
The MSBA process involves a timeline set by the state. The Advisory Group and broader public process will fit into this existing MSBA timeline and will not delay the school building process. The anticipated fall 2025 conclusion of the Advisory Group and public process is based on the current estimate of the MSBA timeline. If the MSBA schedule changes, the Advisory Group process could accelerate or have more time accordingly.
MSBA Modules/Timeline*
(Mar ’24 – Nov ’24)
(Jan ’25 – Jul ’25)
(Jul ’25 – Jun ’26)
(Jun ’26 – Jun ’27)
(Late ’27)
(Jan ’28 – Dec ’28)
(Jan ’28 – Dec ’31)
MSBA Modules Overview
Module #1
Eligibility Period
(March – Nov 2024)
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Through the eligibility period, the MSBA assesses whether a City/school district is prepared to manage and fund a school building project. School districts meeting the MSBA’s requirements are invited to proceed to the next module upon a vote by the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
In December of 2023, the MSBA Board voted to advance Somerville’s proposal beyond the eligibility period.
At the end of the Eligibility Phase, the MSBA Board will vote on whether to invite Somerville into the Feasibility Study period. The Feasibility Study phase has a term of 913 days – or a little over 30 months once an agreement is signed by both Somerville and the MSBA.
Each district invited into the MSBA process is assigned an MSBA project coordinator who will serve as the district’s point of contact for the life of the project. This will ensure a strong partnership with the MSBA, and provide clarity around questions and challenges that may arise throughout the project.
Key Deliverables
Here are the requirements Somerville is working to meet by November 2024:
Within 30 days (by April 4, 2024):
Initial Compliance Certification. This is a document that will require three signatures (not votes): the Mayor, the Superintendent, and the Chair of the School Committee. COMPLETED: March 20, 2024; APPROVED: April 2, 2024
Initial Compliance Certification Documentation
Within 60 days (by May 4, 2024):
Formation of School Building Committee. Complete and submit a standard membership form, with the MSBA’s minimum designations, signed by the Mayor. It will be reviewed and ultimately approved by the MSBA’s legal team. COMPLETED: May 3, 2024; APPROVED: May 7, 2024
School Building Committee Documentation
Within 90 days (by June 4, 2024):
Submit Educational Profile Questionnaire (EPQ). This will provide context to our project, inform our enrollment process for the school, and help inform current facility challenges/needs and how the district envisions a future facility. COMPLETED: June 3, 2024
Educational Profile Questionnaire (EPQ) Documentation
Online Enrollment Submissions (2). Submit enrollment data, housing data, and information about private schools within Somerville. Provide operational information, and consolidation information (if applicable). COMPLETED: June 3, 2024
Within 180 days (by August 30, 2024):
Agreement on Enrollment Certification. There will be an enrollment meeting scheduled where the MSBA will share projections, discuss project particulars, and come to an agreement on enrollment numbers. This will result in a letter and certification. Three signatures will be required from Somerville (not a vote): the Mayor, the Superintendent, and the School Committee Chair.
Provide Maintenance and Capital Planning Information. Report on historical maintenance practices.
Prior to 270 days (November 29, 2024):
Appropriation of Funds: A local vote is required for the Feasibility Study through Schematic Design. The MSBA will provide standard vote language. Funds are typically for hiring an OPM, designer, conducting environmental and site testing, and contingencies and related expenses. While the MSBA cannot tell districts how much to appropriate, they can provide data and specs from surrounding communities for similar project size and scope.
Module #2
Forming the project team
(January 2025 – July 2025)
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Through a formal procure process, the City will hire an Owner’s Project Manager to oversee the project, and then a Design/Architecture firm. The MSBA will ultimately need to approve both hires.
Key Deliverables
- Hire an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM)
- The OPM provides project management oversight and guidance throughout the entirety of the project from planning through design and construction.
- In May 2025, the MSBA approved our choice for an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) to oversee design and construction. Paperwork to sign them on is underway.
- Hire a design/architecture firm
- The City working with its hired OPM will contract with a qualified design/architecture firm to oversee the project’s design.
Module #3
Feasibility Study
(July 2025 – June 2026)
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During the feasibility study period, the City’s team will work with the MSBA to document existing building conditions (this process was completed at the WHCIS 115 Sycamore building in 2023 as part of the K-8 Capacity Study) and evaluate options for sites that could accommodate the scale of building required to meet educational needs. The City will then put forth its preferred solution for MSBA approval.
Key Deliverables
Coming soon!
Module #4
Schematic Design
(June 2026 – June 2027)
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Following the MSBA’s approval of the City’s preferred option of the school building project, the project team will undertake the development of a robust schematic design (A schematic design shows the concept, layout, size, and location of a project). This more detailed level of design enables the project team to develop the scope, budget, and schedule for the proposed project during the next module.
Key Deliverables
Coming soon!
Module #5
Funding the Project (Jun ‘27 – Jan ‘28)
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Using the schematic design developed in the previous module, the project team will develop and document the project scope, budget, schedule, and MSBA financial participation. Upon approval by the MSBA board, the MSBA and the City enter into a Project Funding Agreement, confirming the MSBA’s participation in the project.
Given the City will need to raise property taxes to pay for a new school, this phase is expected to involve a ballot question vote to increase property taxes called a debt exclusion.
Module #6 Detailed Design (Jan ‘28 – Dec ‘28)
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During this second phase of design, construction design documents are developed and then used to procure bids and ultimately award the contractor to a construction firm. MSBA oversight and approval is required throughout this process.
Key Deliverables
Coming soon!
Module #7 Construction (Jan ‘28 – Dec ‘31)
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The new school building is constructed. The MSBA continues its oversight to the project meets the expectations and requirements of the project funding agreement.
Key Deliverables
Coming soon!