The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) said that the 78,000 s/f LeRoy L. Wood (New Fairhaven) Elementary School is the first school in Mass. and only the second in the nation to be recognized as a Verified Leader by the CHPS. "Compliance with the MA-CHPS Verified program is a significant achievement," William Orr, executive director of CHPS, said. "This distinction demonstrates that the project has undergone a rigorous design and construction process and third-party review to comply with the MA-CHPS Criteria high performance schools rating system." In order to receive Verified Leader status, the school project needs to perform well beyond the minimum CHPS eligibility requirements and needs to portray an image of environmental and social responsibility. CTA Construction was the construction manager for the $20 million elementary school, working jointly with HMFH Architects and owner's manager, Daedalus Projects, Inc. and the town of Fairhaven. The team has had the pleasure of working on the design and construction of schools that improve the education and health of Mass. school children. These high performance schools not only improve occupant health and increase student performance, but also decrease operating costs and increase energy savings.