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The Homer Street, top, and Brightwood elementary schools, both over a century old, were submitted by Springfield officials for state consideration for replacement.

(MARK M. MURRAY / THE REPUBLICAN)

SPRINGFIELD — The city will aggressively pursue state aid to replace the Homer Street and Brightwood elementary schools, along with various new roofs, windows and boilers at several other buildings, officials said this week.

Formal "statements of interest" were filed recently with the Massachusetts School Building Authority, seeking consideration of 11 school projects for replacements and major accelerated repairs. Under the state program, accepted projects are eligible for up to 80 percent state reimbursement of eligible costs for new construction and for major renovation and repairs.

"There is a great deal of need for maintenance and repairs as well as for the new buildings," Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick said. "We know we have received a lot of MSBA support, but we feel these should be a priority given the age of the buildings and the need."

Both Homer and Brightwood were built in 1898, lacking gymnasiums and proper cafeterias, and having outdated equipment, Warwick said.

Many of the school projects have been submitted multiple times for state consideration in recent years, but have been bumped by other pressing school projects, officials said.

The city has been fortunate to receive more than $300 million in state funds for various schools over the past decade, including a new Putnam Vocational Technical Academy and Brookings Elementary School and a fully renovated and expanded Forest Park Middle school, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said.

The city will continue to be aggressive in pursuing state funding assistance, Sarno said.

As approved by the School Committee and City Council in January, the city's statements of interest for the state's "accelerated repair program," are for new roofs at STEM Middle Academy, Balliet Elementary School, Kensington Avenue Elementary School, Dorman Elementary School, Brunton Elementary School and Mary M. Lynch Elementary School.

The Balliet roof is listed as the top priority for replacement, due to its deteriorated condition.

In addition, the city has submitted statements of interest for a new heating system at German Gerena Community School, and new windows and doors at Mary M. Walsh Elementary School and Springfield Public Day High School.

In all, the city has 17 roof replacements proposed over a three-year period, and also keeps four-year plans for new heating-air conditioning systems, and windows and doors projects, all subject to funding ability and state aid.

The city is planning to install a new heating system at Homer this summer despite the effort to build a new school, said Patrick J. Sullivan, the city's director of parks, buildings and recreation management. The boiler is in poor condition and must be replaced to keep the building operational until a new school is built, he said.

The new heating systems, however, are designed so they can be moved to other schools, if needed, officials said.

Last year, the city replaced five roofs at Chestnut Middle, Ells, the Public Day School, South End and the High School of Science and Technology, said Peter Garvey, the city's director of capital asset construction. In addition, windows are being replaced this summer at Kensington, and are planned next year at Kennedy Middle School, with state aid approved, officials said.

Sarno and the City Council approved a $10 million bond for various new boilers and other energy improvements targeting 11 school buildings, two libraries and four fire stations.

Brunton School and Kensington School were among the buildings getting new boilers among other energy improvements. Various improvements were also taking place at Chestnut Middle School, Gerena, the High School of Commerce, the High School of Science and Technology, Homer, Kennedy, Liberty, Rebecca Johnson, and Talmadge.