PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city will submit a statement of interest to the MSBA for repairs to Pittsfield High School. 

In three consecutive days this week, the School Building Needs Commission, City Council, and School Committee authorized interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips to submit an SOI for repairs to the almost century-old building. 

Mayor Peter Marchetti explained to councilors that they are asking to take a proactive approach to trying to get PHS into the queue for a future MSBA project. 

"I think I don't need to share with all of you the condition of Pittsfield High School. I think you've probably all been in there and you know the condition of the high school," he said on Tuesday. 

"So we're asking tonight for that first step to be taken, to put us in the queue. We are not asking for any funding request. We are not asking, 'Should we add on to the school? Should we take away from the school?' We are simply looking to get us into the queue, to get us into the eligibility phase, which will take about a year's time, and then hopefully get into the feasibility stage." 

During a special meeting last Monday, the School Building Needs Commission unanimously voted to move forward with a statement of interest. The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved submitting a PHS statement of interest, and that was followed by an affirmative vote from the School Committee on Wednesday. 

Priority areas identified for an SOI to the MSBA Core Program will be for the replacement, renovation, or modernization of the heating system to increase energy conservation and decrease energy-related costs, and replacement or addition to obsolete buildings to provide a full range of programs consistent with state and local requirements. 

This is what the school was found to be most eligible for.  If invited into the program in December, a draft schedule places construction between 2031 and 2033.