The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) must make its investments as cost effective as possible, due at least in part to its limited resources, the relative expense of school construction, and the relative infrequency with which the authority can revisit a previous decision.  It is already expected to advance cost effectiveness by encouraging renovation and smart growth locations over new construction and locations that are more distant and therefore more expensive to serve.

The MSBA should further enhance the cost effectiveness of its investments by placing its decision making within the context of consistent local and regional plans.  School enrollment projections should be consistent with the population targets that form the basis for a MetroFuture-consistent comprehensive plan.  This also provides for greater municipal confidence that it has sufficient capacity for the anticipated school age population.

22.a    MAPC and the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance should evaluate the MSBA’s criteria for renovation, smart growth, and related criteria and make necessary recommendations 

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