LAE authorizes superintendent to submit MSBA Accelerated Repair Program statement of interest for roofs, windows at three sites

The Lawrence Alliance for Education on April 9 authorized Superintendent Ralph Guerrero to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) seeking Accelerated Repair Program (ARP) funds for roofs and windows at three district facilities.

Operations staff told the board they identified three projects that meet the MSBA ARP eligibility criteria (age of roofs/windows over 20 years): a roof replacement at South Lawrence East, work at the Frost Complex, and a windows replacement project at the Arlington Complex. Operations manager Odonis Hernandez said the MSBA ARP is competitive and that "there is funding available as part of their accelerated repair project. There's about $300,000,000 available that all school districts are entitled to apply for." Hernandez said the district estimated total combined project costs around $80,000,000 for the three sites and expects an MSBA reimbursement rate in the 70–80% range if the district is invited into the program.

The superintendent added that the district had already obtained a city council vote and that the SOI requires an affirmative vote by the school board before submission. The board approved the motion by roll call; the clerk recorded yes votes from board members and Chair Patricia Mariano announced, "Yes. Motion passes." The superintendent and operations staff said the application process can take about two years from SOI submission to MSBA action and that any eventual construction would require the city to provide the local share (the city typically covers the non‑reimbursable portion).

Ending: The board authorized the SOI submission; staff said they will submit the application to MSBA and continue coordination with the mayor's office and city council on potential local funding obligations.