Massachusetts enjoys one of the best educational systems in the United States, thanks in large part to well-trained teachers, dedicated administrators, and strong public support.

But one area in which we do not lead is school infrastructure: our state has $4.3 billion in estimated school infrastructure needs.

Many of our public school buildings are decades old with outdated systems and toxic materials in their walls. Simultaneously, our communities have experienced declining budgets for capital improvement projects like new school construction. This is a recipe for disaster.

Luckily for us, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has awarded $12.8 billion since its creation in 2004 to communities across the state to help them replace their failing school buildings. But the odds of getting that support are quite low. Of 287 statements of interest submitted to the state between 2013 and 2015 for large-scale new construction or renovation projects, only 37 were accepted; Amherst was among this group.

Following the failed Town Meeting vote last November for the proposed new school building project, our constituents in Amherst requested that we appeal to the MSBA to consider revisions to the approved plan. The agency’s response to our appeal was unequivocal — only the original plan can receive MSBA funding. The MSBA will not consider a K-6 option or any other option for this project, since they already approved a reconfiguration for grades 2 through 6.

As it turns out, the state agrees that reconfiguration is a positive aspect of this project that will address many issues of inequality in Amherst’s schools, and provide the best educational environment for all the town’s elementary-aged public school students.

We also heard from the MSBA that Amherst is not guaranteed to get back “into the pipeline”— or, have an application approved for further consideration — in just a few years. The agency does not move projects to the front of the line for any reason, and cannot make those kinds of exceptions.

To be clear, if this project fails again in a special Town Meeting, Amherst will forgo $34 million in state aid and new statements of interest must be resubmitted annually for each school again. Given how many districts are applying for this funding, and how long it takes this agency to review applications, no one can guarantee that either of Amherst’s schools will be accepted into the pipeline again anytime soon.

There has been much debate in this community about the best approach for the new schools, and we believe the questions raised have been important ones. But this project is valuable and necessary, and a wonderful chance to address the problems that have emerged around Amherst’s public schools in recent decades — from bad design, to the inevitable deterioration of public use buildings.

Moreover, Amherst now has the chance to provide a 21st-century, quality education to children with many different needs so that we raise the floor for all, instead of lowering the seats for some.

Two of us have served in public office for many years, and we all understand what a rare opportunity this is to improve Amherst’s public education, and what a tragic loss it would be to reject this state aid. We need good jobs that provide economic security for families. We need to improve health outcomes for young and old alike. And we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that we continuously improve our schools for our children.

Today, we have an opportunity in Amherst to realize a dream that doesn’t often occur in legislative politics: the ability to provide our youngest generation with valuable resources that will make their lives better in a concrete way for decades to come.

All children deserve the right to a quality education regardless of their background or family income.

Stanley Rosenberg is president of the state Senate, Ellen Story is a former 3rd Hampshire District state representative and Solomon Goldstein-Rose is the current 3rd Hampshire District state representative. All three live in Amherst.