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Council committee backs MSBA statement of interest for school roof and window repairs
Summary
The Budget & Finance Committee approved a resolution to support Lawrence Public Schools’ application to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for accelerated repairs at Arlington, Frost and South Lawrence East. The resolution will be sent to the full City Council.
The Budget and Finance Committee voted March 12 to approve a resolution supporting Lawrence Public Schools’ statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for accelerated repair funding for three school projects.
LPS leaders told the committee they plan to seek MSBA assistance for replacement of about 800 windows at the Arlington complex and roof repairs for the Frost complex and South Lawrence East. Chief operating officer Odonis Hernandez said the package would represent roughly $18 million in construction costs, and that the MSBA reimbursement rate for such projects typically ranges near 70–80% depending on the school’s reimbursement classification.
Why it matters: MSBA accelerated-repair grants reduce local capital costs for urgent building repairs; approval of a council resolution is the formal municipal step required for the district to submit a statement of interest.
What the committee did: Members voted to approve the resolution and to send it to the full council with a favorable recommendation.
Clarifying details - Proposed projects: Arlington window replacement (about 800 windows), and roof projects at Frost Complex and South Lawrence East. - Estimated total project cost cited at committee: roughly $18,000,000. - Estimated local share discussed: committee members were told the city’s contribution could be in the $4–5 million range depending on MSBA reimbursement and final estimates.
Speakers (selected) - Odonis Hernandez, Chief Operating Officer, Lawrence Public Schools (presenter) - Council President Giovanni Rodriguez; Councilors Vivian Marmol and Wendy Luzon (committee)
Action taken - Motion: Approve the MSBA statement-of-interest resolution and send it to full council with favorable recommendation. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
Ending: The resolution will proceed to the full City Council so the school district can file statements of interest with the MSBA before the application deadline.
