Green Repair Program Projects

If a district fails to approve funding for the total project budget for a proposed project approved by the MSBA Board of Directors, the MSBA reviewed any costs incurred by the district for an Owner’s Project Manager and/or Designer selected through the Green Repair Program. Subject to the terms of a limited funding agreement for the initial study only, the MSBA only reimbursed for costs that are reasonable and eligible pursuant to MSBA regulations and policies, at the rate of reimbursement in effect at the time the MSBA Board voted to invite the district into the Green Repair Program.

Yes. The Green Repair Program was intended to support such standards and to prompt Districts to go beyond them.

Roofs, windows, and boilers are three common needs that can make a big difference to a school’s energy use. The repairs requested should result in a building that is measurably more efficient in its energy use, that meets certain performance standards for fuel efficiency, and that thereby uses less fuel and saves money. Supporting energy conservation initiatives could include choices such as those described in the MSBA’s Green Schools program.

The Green Repair Program was different because it was focused on three types of major repairs – roofs, boilers, windows – and three related goals – improving the learning environment, energy conservation, and maintenance.

Leaky roofs, drafty windows and boiler failures make the learning environment difficult on students, teachers, and administrators. The biggest benefit of the Green Repair Program is the improvement to the learning environment. Another benefit is the opportunity for faster and more focused action – i.e., special funding that will only be available for new roofs, boilers, and windows. A lasting benefit is the district’s ability to save money on energy costs for years to come, which should help in relieving pressure on operating budgets and also allow the district to use a portion of the energy savings to improve the district’s maintenance program.

No. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) did not include any grant funding for school construction or renovation projects. The ARRA act did, however, include a new type of bond called a Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB). The MSBA had the ability to issue up to approximately $300 million of these bonds and use the proceeds for grants to local districts. The money is not free: the MSBA was required to pay it back. The benefit of the QSCBs is that it allowed the MSBA the ability to borrow funds at a reduced interest cost. The savings allowed the MSBA to approve more projects for local districts.

The MSBA had up to approximately $300 million in funds available for the Green Repair Program.

No. As with all approved projects, costs are shared between local school districts and the MSBA based on a reimbursement rate calculation formula established in the MSBA’s enabling act and regulations. The MSBA paid only for the MSBA’s share of approved, eligible project costs (i.e. MSBA reimbursement rates range from 31% – 80% of approved, eligible project costs). Local Districts were required to pay their share of project costs.

The Green Repair Program was limited to the repair or replacement of roofs, windows and/or boilers at school facilities that are otherwise structurally, functionally and educationally sound. If a school facility required more extensive repair or replacement work – e.g. upgrades to electrical, plumbing, life safety or other building systems, extensive renovations to interior spaces, additional space based on capacity issues – it was not eligible for funding under the Green Repair Program.