Conducting a Senior Study visit is part of the Core Program Statement of Interest (“SOI”) due diligence process, intended for new construction, addition, and/or renovation projects. The MSBA performs Senior Study visits at school facilities for which a Core Program SOI has been submitted and identified by the MSBA for further consideration. A Senior Study is not approval of a project. Conducting a Senior Study is part of the due diligence phase of the MSBA’s new process.

Overview

During the due diligence phase, MSBA staff rely on many different data sources, such as the SOI and accompanying documents, the MSBA’s project management system, the MSBA’s enrollment tool, the MSBA’s 2025 School Survey, and information from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”). There are many factors that can impact the assessment of urgency and need in an SOI, such as increasing enrollment, overcrowding, building conditions, general environment, and program deficiencies.

A Senior Study is a site visit to the SOI facility, comprised of a meeting and tour, conducted by MSBA staff, and accompanied by a technical consultant at the SOI facility. The Senior Study represents an opportunity for the MSBA to further understand the issues identified in the SOI. If the SOI includes a proposed project’s intention for the potential of consolidation of school facilities, the MSBA may elect to tour the additional facilities identified by the district.

A Senior Study begins with a meeting between MSBA staff, the MSBA’s technical consultant, and local officials to discuss:

  • The goals for the project and SOI facility;
  • The SOI facility conditions and program deficiencies as stated in the SOI;
  • How the physical condition of the facility may adversely impact the delivery of the educational program;
  • The district’s routine capital maintenance practices; and
  • The district’s community and financial readiness to proceed with a potential project.

The meeting is followed by a tour of the SOI facility. While touring, MSBA staff and its technical consultant will:

  • Observe the physical condition of the facility, including major building systems;
  • Observe capacity issues (if applicable);
  • Assess design factors such as the availability of natural light;
  • Assess the ability of the facility to support the required educational program; and
  • Observe the school district’s facility maintenance.

Depending upon the number of Senior Study visits that are required in a certain year, this phase can take approximately four to six weeks, with visits typically scheduled from August through September. Once completed, MSBA staff again review the factors that can impact the assessment of urgency and need in a SOI (e.g., increasing enrollment, evidence of overcrowding, building condition, general environment, and program deficiencies), to understand the total impact of all of the factors on the overall need expressed in a SOI, compared to the cohort of SOIs that were identified by the MSBA for further review.

The MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, competitive program. 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 Commonwealth irrevocably dedicated a 1% statewide sales tax, known as the School Modernization Trust Fund (“SMART Fund”), to the MSBA’s grant program.

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