Holyoke Public Schools Maintenance Administrator Sean Sheedy talks about the approved MSBA repair projects during the City Council meeting.
Photo credit: Holyoke Media
HOLYOKE — During the Aug. 27 Massachusetts School Building Authority Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved up to $46 million for 10 Accelerated Repair Projects for schools in seven districts, including three projects in Holyoke.
According to MSBA, the accelerated repair program “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.”
It is offered by the state for specific work on windows, exterior doors and roofs.
The main goals of the Accelerated Repair Program are to improve learning environments for children and teachers, reduce energy use and generate cost savings for districts.
State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, MSBA chair, explained, “The Accelerated Repair Program allows us to make critical repairs to more schools in less time. By improving the learning environment for our children, the program also makes schools more energy efficient and generates significant cost savings.”
In March, the City Council submitted statements of interest to the MSBA for invitation into the Accelerated Repair Program for potential roof replacements at Holyoke High School, Dr. Marcella R. Kelly, Lt. Clayre P. Sullivan, Lt. Elmer J. McMahon and Maurice A. Donahue Elementary schools.
The three projects that MSBA approved for 80% reimbursement included Holyoke High School, Kelly Elementary School and McMahon Elementary School.
The total project budget for Holyoke High School is $12.9 million, $8.7 million for Kelly Elementary School and $4.5 million for McMahon.
The City Council approved sending the three items to the Finance Committee for further review before being approved.
Holyoke Public Schools Maintenance Administrator Sean Sheedy joined the City Council meeting to explain how the approval from MSBA helps and discussed the full scope of the projects.
He stated, “MSBA voted ‘yes’ on these projects. We will get our 80% [reimbursement] and another big thing along with it is the MSBA is now reimbursing for ADA accessibility. So, not only do we get the opportunity to be able to do the roof, but upgrading bathrooms to be ADA compliant, railings, levers on doors, door widths — all of that is part of it and they will reimburse us the 80%.”
“The MSBA continues to partner with Massachusetts communities in the ongoing work of upgrading their public schools,” Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mary Pichetti said. “These improvements to school facilities can only enhance students’ ability to excel in the classroom.”
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public-school facilities.
Since its 2004 inception, MSBA has approved 1,138 projects and has made over $18 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects across the state.
