The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) announced the first round of invitations for 15 school districts to develop heat pump retrofit projects funded through the state’s Accelerated Repair Program.

On October 7th, UndauntedK12 partnered with Brightcore Energy and Eversource to give school district leaders a tour of a ground-source (aka geothermal) drilling site at the new Agawam High School. 

Four new state funding programs are helping schools—especially those in districts with a high percentage of low-income students—install heat pump retrofits and make progress toward decarbonization.

During the annual MASC/MASS Joint Conference, state agencies and utility partners shared information about upcoming technical assistance and funding programs to improve aging school facilities and build healthier, more resilient schools.

The Climate Resilient Schools Coalition is a diverse network that empowers teachers, students and community members to advance rigorous climate education and infrastructure improvements in Massachusetts schools by passing and implementing climate action resolutions at the district level.

This month the Massachusetts School Building Authority is relaunching the Accelerated Repair Program (ARP) with important changes that stand to better serve communities and support the state’s climate goals. The MSBA recommended that the Accelerated Repair Program reopen this month with its narrowed focus and an annual budget of $150 million - double its prior grant capacity. Meanwhile, the staff will work to develop a separate heat pump retrofit program with a desired launch in January 2025.

On October 19th, UndauntedK12 partnered with the MSBA to host a roundtable presentation illustrating how new federal funds through the Inflation Reduction Act, paired with newly enriched offerings from Mass Save have substantially reduced the installation costs for modern, clean energy technologies that can help schools reduce operating costs, improve resilience and indoor air quality, and ultimately safeguard student health and learning.

On September 18, Massachusetts legislators heard powerful testimony from a diverse set of stakeholders calling for action to improve our school buildings. Climate change is heightening the challenges and exacerbating inequities. Instead of business as usual, it’s time for bold leadership and change. You can help.

On August 9, Governor Healey signed into law the FY2024 budget. Here’s what’s in and what’s out when it comes to school buildings.

On June 12, UndauntedK12 joined a powerful group of organizations to advocate for the creation of a Special Commission to study the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The focus? The interrelated issues of equitable and adequate funding for school facilities, policies to support healthy schools, and policies to advance the state’s environmental and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in schools.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority plays a central role in creating healthy, equitable, modern school buildings. In 2023, that means moving toward modern, all-electric HVAC systems in schools. Unfortunately, the Authority’s Accelerated Repair Program is still stuck in the past funding gas boilers. Now is the time for the Authority to engage stakeholders around a redesign of the program.

Did you know that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers schools a huge opportunity to replace fossil-fuel burning HVAC systems with new ground-source heat pumps at up to a 50% discount? These incentives offer schools a once-in-a-generation opportunity — and we need your help getting the word out.

UndauntedK12 is grateful to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for identifying the urgent need to advance climate-ready schools. It’s especially important that a competitive program work to support applications from schools serving low-income and environmental justice populations.

On March 7th, UndauntedK12’s cofounder Sara Ross presented at the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund legislative briefing to advocate for how the ZRCF could address existing inequities in school buildings that challenge the health and wellness of K-12 students.