Upon successful conclusion of the procedures outlined under Module 2, a District may proceed with the Feasibility Study. The purpose of the Feasibility Study is for the District, its OPM (for projects with estimated construction costs in excess of $1.5 million), its Designer, and the MSBA to explore potential solutions that meet the requirements of the District’s Educational Program, and to determine the most cost effective and educationally appropriate solution for the MSBA Board of Directors’ consideration.
Overview
The District and its team collaborate with the MSBA to document their:
- Educational program.
- Generate an initial space summary.
- Document existing conditions.
- Establish design parameters.
- Develop and evaluate alternatives.
- Recommend the most cost effective and educationally appropriate preferred solution to the MSBA Board of Directors for their consideration.
During this phase, the Owner’s Project Manager will submit on behalf of the District and its Designer a Preliminary Design Program and a Preferred Schematic Report. Approval by the MSBA Board of Directors is required for all projects to proceed into schematic design. Please refer to Module 4 – Schematic Design for additional information. Approval by the MSBA Board of Directors is required for all projects in order to advance the preferred schematic into schematic design.
Recent News
At the October 28, 2026 Board Meeting:
- There were four districts recommended for Preferred Schematic Design.
- Dighton-Rehoboth, Dighton Elementary School
- New Bedford, Charles S. Ashley Elementary School
- Somerville, Winter Hill Community School
- Springfield, German Gerena Community School
- Based on the most recent data and schedules provided to the MSBA by districts, four districts will appear before the Board for their Preferred Schematic Design authorizations at December 2026 and February 2027 Board meetings.
- Milford, Milford High School
- Boston, Shaw-Taylor Elementary School
- Framingham, Hemenway Elementary School
- Westford, Col. John Robinson Elementary School
Important Documents
- Feasibility Study Guidelines
- MSBA Space Summary Templates
- Mod 3 Local Actions and Approvals Certification Template
- Budget Statement for Preferred Schematic
- Feasibility Study Completion Checklist
- Submittal Dates for Board Meetings
- Project Advisory 81
- Grade Reconfiguration and District Approval Certification Template
- Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (FAS) Guidance Memorandum
- Educational Program Requirements
- Preliminary Design Pricing Table Template
- Chapter 74 Vocational Technical Education Viability Documentation
