SPRINGFIELD -- City officials praised work that was done this summer and continues in coming months to repair and improve local schools at an estimated cost of $14 million.
The projects range from new energy efficient lights at various buildings to a new roof at Milton Bradley School, costing $3,356,488, city and school officials said.
The most expensive project was $5.2 million for a new boiler at the High School of Science and Technology, officials said.
The city is also investing approximately $1 million in paving of parking lots at many schools.
Various city and school officials recently toured some of the schools to see work that was done in advance of the start of classes for all students next week.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, citing the construction of new schools and school renovation projects since 2008, when he took office, said the costs have totaled $616 million, aided by state grant funds.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority has reimbursed up to 80 percent of eligible costs for new schools and for major renovations such as roofs, boilers, and windows.
Sarno said it was exciting to see the results of the city/state investment, with the improvements creating a “positive learning environment for our youth.”
“We are very grateful to the MSBA in partnering with us on both new construction and the Green repairs program,” Sarno said. “Their efforts have extended the life of our facilities by another 30 years.”
Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick said he appreciates the work done over the past decade.
"Our goal is to ensure every school building is viable and provides a comfortable learning and teaching environment." Warwick said. "We are closing the gap on roof and window upgrades and we look forward in working in conjunction with the MSBA in completing our master plan for school repairs.”
The city partnered with Eversource to install the energy-efficient LED lighting in approximately 20 school buildings, said Patrick J. Sullivan, the city’s director of parks, buildings, and creation management.
“The new LED lighting in the classrooms will be a benefit to the overall learning environment and energy savings across the school district,” Sullivan said.
The latest work in the schools is "serving to improve the classrooms and and the overall school environment, Sullivan said.
"The positive outcome in our work is the improvement to the overall health of the class room and learning environment,” he said.
Examples of some of the other projects this year include: new flooring at Kiley school ($353,764); new flooring at Zanetti School ($127,900); and new kitchen refrigeration at several schools.
Also, the projects include new gymnasium doors at the Kiley and Putnam Vocational schools, and a $150,000 track resurfacing project at Central High School.
"The work being completed is imperative in improving the overall integrity of our school buildings, said Peter Garvey, the city's director of capital asset construction.
He estimated that the long-term investments, aided by the state, will increase the usefulness of the buildings for another 35 to 50 years.
Sarno said he is also looking forward to two new school construction projects. There are plans for a new school on Plainfield Street to replace the Brightwood and Lincoln elementary schools, and a new consolidated building to replace the Homer Street and DeBerry schools.
In the past 10 years, the the state has funded $485,934,515 in Springfield projects and the city has invested $104,028,713 in school facilities in that decade.
Timothy J. Plante, the city’s chief administrative and financial officer, said the work being done in the schools is serving to make the buildings safer and more energy-efficient. The city will continue to pursue other funding sources for future school projects, he said.