Holyoke City Council approves MSBA statement-of-interest permissions and funds schematic studies for five schools after procedural debate

The Holyoke City Council on Feb. 24 voted unanimously to authorize school officials to enter the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) portal to file a 2025 statement of interest (SOI) and to appropriate funds for schematic design studies at five Holyoke Public Schools.

Sean Sheedy, maintenance administrator for Holyoke Public Schools, told the council that agenda item 1 was “just the permission ask. It's a non financial ask,” and said it covers three projects: HVAC conversion at Donahue School, remaining windows and doors at Donahue's new wing, and remaining windows and doors in the courtyard area at McMahon School. The council adopted that order by roll call vote.

Why it matters: the schematic-design steps are the next formal stage in MSBA project consideration. Sheedy said the MSBA requires a certified city council vote so staff can complete the portal submission; missing the application window would force Holyoke to wait until the MSBA's next cycle (2027) because the authority now accepts SOIs every two years.

Councilors then took up items 2 through 6 as a…