Last modified: Thursday, August 23, 2007 9:29 AM EDT Long line for state aid to schools BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF Local communities have plenty of company in requesting financial aid from the state for school building projects. The state School Building Authority has received "statements of interest" from 162 school districts with a total of 422 school building projects. A statement of interest is an initial filing with the state to start the process of seeking funding for school construction and renovation projects. Attleboro, North Attleboro, Norton, Foxboro, Norfolk and Dighton-Rehoboth Regional schools were among those filing with the state. Carrie Sullivan, a spokeswoman for the state agency, said the response has been "overwhelming." The requests were "trickling in at first, but then came in a flood" as the July 31 deadline approached, she said. Some communities submitted multiple requests and were asked to prioritize their projects by Aug. 15. Springfield submitted statements for 30 school buildings. Newton filed for 16 schools. Sullivan said the agency will visit all the schools, evaluate the needs, and rank the projects for funding. The state has approved $2.5 billion over five years for school building projects with about $500 million expected to be awarded this fiscal year, she said. There is no cost estimate available for the 422 schools on the list. Sullivan said the new process the state has adopted for funding school construction calls for the agency to work with communities in developing building plans and cost estimates rather than rely on the school districts to submit their own. Attleboro wants to either completely renovate its high school or build a new one. The poor condition of the building was cited in a recent accreditation assessment of the high school. Among other area schools submitting statements: North Attleboro wants to add classrooms to its early learning center and Allen Avenue School. Norton is seeking funding for repairs to the middle school roof and for expansion of the high school. Foxboro wants to repair leaks in the high school roof, upgrade the fire alarm system, replace windows and renovate science laboratories. Of the 422 schools on the list, 30 are said to be in poor condition, and 180 are in fair to poor condition. Most of the projects would address structural problems and energy efficiency, according to the state.