School Finance: School Building Issues

1. Federal Programs:

   1. Federal Renovation Grant

      Massachusetts received $19 million in federal funds from IDEA grants authorized in the federal fiscal year 2001 appropriations act. This was a one-time grant program designed to help local school districts, charter schools and private schools make urgent school repairs and renovations. Sixty-One grants were awarded to 41 school districts, private schools and charter schools. Districts and schools funded under this federal program were required to encumber all funds by September, 2003.

   2. Qualified Zone Academy Bonds

      The federal government has extended the qualified zone academy bond (QZAB) program through 2009. This program subsidizes the cost of school building renovations and certain other types of capital projects. For a complete program description, eligibility information, and application instructions, see the new Request for Proposals (01/26/2007).

      • Qualified Zone Academy Bond Financing Program: Request for Proposals (01/26/2007)

      • Frequently Asked Questions

2. LINKS

   School Building Authority. http://www.mass.gov/msba/

   On July 26, Governor Romney signed into law Chapter 208 of the Acts of 2004, establishing a new Massachusetts School Building Authority. The new authority has assumed responsibility for the Commonwealth's school building assistance (SBA) program. All requests and inquiries regarding the SBA program should be directed to the new authority.

   MA Technology Collaborative
   http://www.mtpc.org/RenewableEnergy/Green_Schools.htm
   

   MTC provides information, technical assistance and funding for feasibility, studies, design, construction and educational activities of green public schools employing renewable technologies. The goal of the Green Schools Initiative is to encourage school districts to construct or renovate school buildings that will cost less to operate and will provide healthier learning environments for students.

3. RESOURCES

   Protecting Health and the Environment at K-12 Schools, Including Art Programs

   Two guidance documents are now available free from EPA, one covering all aspects of K-12 schools and one specifically for art programs. They include:

   Environmental Compliance and Best Management Practices: Guidance Manual for K-12 Schools
   http://www.epa.gov/region02/children/k12/k12pdf.htm.

   Environmental Health & Safety in the Arts: A Guide for K-12 Schools, Colleges and Artisans
   http://www.epa.gov/region02/children/k12/artpdf.htm.

   Public School Chemical Management Program - MassDEP

   New mercury legislation and its impact on schools

   •   Joint letter from Commissioner Driscoll and Acting DEP Commissioner O'Donnell

   • Mercury Law  http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw06/sl060190.htm

   • Department of Environmental Protection Mercury Management web link
     http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/schools.htm#mercury

   •   Fact Sheet

   Facility Planning Guide http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2003347

   This Guide was prepared by members of the National Forum on Education Statistics to help school facilities managers plan for efficient and effective operations. The Planning Guide has been developed to help readers better understand why and how to develop, implement, and evaluate a facilities maintenance plan. It provides practical advice on a range of topics; including how to do facilities audits, building inventories and maintenance planning and how to manage staff and contractors and evaluate maintenance efforts.

   Healthy Schools Checklist: http://www.mass.gov/dph/beha/iaq/schools/schools.htm

   The Healthy Schools Council (HSC) was established in 2001. The council is made up of representatives from the Departments of: Education, Public Health, Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Occupational Safety, Environmental Protection, Food and Agriculture; the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, the Office of Technical Assistance, the Attorney General's Office, the State Fire Marshall's Office and the Board of Higher Education.

   This inter-agency council identified a working group of key staff from agencies involved with environmental health and safety issues in schools, who were tasked with identifying a list of the most important issues for schools to address in terms of environmental health and safety. This document contains information and resources to assist Massachusetts' school systems in identifying and remedying indoor environment health and safety problems.

4. RELATED LAWS

   Chapter 40, Section 3 - Town; power to hold, lease and convey property. With the approval of the school committee and the Commissioner of Education, a city or town may rent or lease surplus space in a school building in actual use, provided that such joint occupancy does not interfere with educational programs being conducted in said building. Refer to: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/40-3.htm

   Chapter 71, Section 71- Use of School Property The school committee may conduct educational and recreational activities in or upon school property under its control or shall allow the use thereof by individuals and associations for such activities as it deems for the interest of the community. Refer to: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/71-71.htm

   Chapter 71, Section 71E - Separate account for leasing school property
   In any city or town which accepts this section, all moneys received by the school committee in connection with the use of school property under section seventy-one, shall be deposited with the treasurer of the town or city and held as separate accounts. The receipts held in such a separate account may be expended by said school committee without further appropriation for expenses incurred in making school property available for such use, notwithstanding the provisions of section fifty-three of chapter forty-four of the General Laws. Refer to: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/71-71e.htm