Facilities Assessment Subcommittee: Past Meeting Information, 2012

The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed project at the December 19, 2012 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (“FAS”) Meeting:

City of Revere
William McKinley Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Collaborative Partners
Designer: Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented an overview of the District’s design and site modifications subsequent to the approval by the MSBA Board of the District’s Preferred Schematic design on October 3, 2012. The team presented the changes made as a result of the feedback received from the FAS at the previous FAS meeting and the District’s concerns with its previously approved layout.  At the December 19th FAS meeting, the FAS and MSBA staff inquired about the following items: 1) sheltered drop-off area; 2) potential ability to isolate academic areas from community use areas of the building; and 3) location and adjacency of break-out spaces in terms of specific use and proximity to special education or academic areas where quiet space may be required.

MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

Town of North Reading
North Reading Middle-High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: PMA Consultants
Designer: Dore & Whittier Architects, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and the Design team presented an overview of the current design as of the 60% Construction Document submission and the current construction cost estimate as it compares to the approved Total Project Budget in the executed Project Funding Agreement.  The District and its consultants presented their plan to resolve the estimated $4.5 million construction cost overrun, including a summary of Value Engineering items as well as deferred scope. The FAS inquired about the following items: 1) changes in layout from Schematic Design to 60% Construction Documents; 2) changes in educational program and proposed spaces from Schematic Design to 60% Construction Documents as they relate to the support and delivery of the educational program, specifically how the proposed spaces support the delivery of the District’s science, math, and technology course offerings; 3) vocational technical space as it relates to the computer labs and distance learning; 4) the Schematic Design estimate; 5) structural modifications; 6) the list of deferred items and associated costs; and 7) the schedule, including the appropriation of additional funds.

The MSBA will continue to work with the District to conclude its review of the District’s most recent submittal to determine if the current project is in compliance with the terms of the Project Funding Agreement or if the project must be returned to the MSBA Board of Directors for further consideration.

The following District presented on the progress of their proposed project at the October 19, 2012 Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (“FAS”) Meeting:

City of Boston
Josiah Quincy Upper School
Current Phase:  Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Maureen Anderson, City Employee
Designer: HMFH Architects, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options and sites studied during the District’s ongoing Feasibility Study for the Josiah Quincy Upper School.  The FAS and MSBA staff inquired and discussed the following items: 1) the educational program, along with reference to previous discussions with the District regarding its content and the MSBA’s expectation that the program information informs the space needs identified in the Feasibility Study; 2) current school facilities being utilized by the District including the Josiah Quincy Upper School, modular units, and the YMCA facility for health and physical education; 3) an alternative site analysis conducted in conjunction with the Boston Redevelopment Authority and other potential options and sites that could be explored; 4) a preliminary alternatives analysis, including alternate grade configurations and how they may inform other options; and 5) the conceptual layout and the proposed location of the gym space in the preferred option.

MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

The City of Revere presented on the progress of its proposed project at the September 12, 2012 Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (“FAS”) Meeting:

City of Revere
William McKinley Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Collaborative Partners
Designer: Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and the Design team presented an overview of the options studied during the feasibility study and the District’s preferred solution of a new PK-5 school facility at the Hill Park site.  The presentation also included discussion of the sites studied during the feasibility study and the demonstrated enrollment growth in the City of Revere.

The FAS members and MSBA staff requested that the District consider:  1) the potential future costs the City may incur for repurposing/renovating the existing William McKinley School, which should be included in the City’s analysis; 2) further analysis of Option B to determine the potential for a phased addition/renovation, including the removal of the 1927 building addition, that could result in the need to acquire less land than Option B as currently proposed; 3) the current or planned design elements and layout to allow for flexibility of the building design to handle enrollment growth in the future; 4) how to provide more outside play area for the proposed school project; 5) incorporating break-out areas or small group spaces into the design as part of the circulation spaces within the building; and  6) investigating a redistricting plan that allows for “Buffer Zones.”

Lastly, the FAS members and MSBA staff noted that, prior to undertaking any future school construction projects, the City must develop a plan for its schools that addresses the City’s projected enrollment needs, the current capacity, and the infrastructure issues in its remaining school facilities.  This plan should include the City’s efforts to further understand and manage the impact of current and future development growth on its school population and the resulting impact on the District’s inventory of school facilities.

MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the August 29, 2012 Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (“FAS”) Meeting:

Whitman-Hanson Regional School District
Maquan Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Knight, Bagge & Anderson, Inc.
Designer: Turowski2 Architecture, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented a brief overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution of a new PK-5 school facility on the Indian Head Elementary School site.  The District’s preferred solution is to demolish the two adjacent existing elementary school facilities, the Maquan Elementary School (PK-2) and the Indian Head Elementary School (3-5) to create one PK-5 facility.  The FAS members and MSBA staff inquired about the proposed conceptual layout with respect to the apparent narrow width of the corridor in the early education wing, handicap access to the second floor, the possibility of improved location of outdoor play areas, distances between the classrooms and the proposed outdoor play areas, and the need to develop a more grade-appropriate configuration.  In addition, the FAS noted that demolition of the Indian Head Elementary School will result in the recovery of a portion of state funds previously awarded to the District as part of the renovation of the Indian Head Elementary School completed in 1999.  MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

Auburn Public Schools
Auburn Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Skanska USA Building, Inc.
Designer: Lamoureux Pagano Associates Architects, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented the options studied during the Feasibility Study including the District’s preferred solution to construct a new middle school on the West Street site.  The FAS and MSBA staff raised concerns about the conceptual layout of the proposed building and the need to incorporate adjustments that more appropriately reflect a clustered environment for team-based learning.  The FAS questioned the need to include fume hoods in middle school science labs and suggested that the District review the needs of the curriculum with the teachers.  In addition, MSBA staff noted the importance of the District completing the ongoing land acquisition of the West Street site and also indicated that geotechnical exploration and soil testing associated with the West Street site must be completed prior to recommending a project, scope, and budget. MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

Concord-Carlisle Regional School District
Concord-Carlisle Regional High School
Current Phase: Design Development

Owner’s Project Manager: KVAssociates, Inc.
Designer: OMR Architects, Inc. 

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and the Design team presented the changes to the project that have occurred since the Board of Directors approved the schematic design for a Project Scope and Budget Agreement on September 28, 2011.  In response a request from the MSBA, the District and its consultants presented information relative to:  1) the new floor layout and how that layout continues to support the educational program that formed the basis of the schematic design; 2) a detailed plan for presenting the new design to the District’s member communities, ensuring that the residents still support the project despite the changes; and 3) cost information that ties to the new design.  The FAS commented on the revised layout of the building and requested that the District review whether the physics and biology room locations should be interchanged to allow maximum daylight for the biology curriculum. The FAS noted that it is unusual for the MSBA to suspend payments for a project, especially due to changes in the project scope this late in the development of the design.  The FAS requested that MSBA staff review what happened between approval of the Project and the suspension of grant payments on June 26, 2012.  In particular, the FAS asked the staff to evaluate the roles, responsibilities, and performance of the District’s consultants.  The MSBA noted that the revised design appears to support the District’s educational program but that the design development submittal received on Thursday, August 24, 2012 is still under review.  In particular, the MSBA is reviewing how the revised cost estimates submitted with the design development submittal compare to the construction budget that was included as part of the Board approved budget.  The MSBA explained that it will continue to work with the District over the next several weeks to conclude its review and understand how the review timeline coincides with the community outreach plan presented by the District.

The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the June 27, 2012 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (“FAS”) Meeting:

Newburyport Public Schools
Rupert A. Nock Middle School
Current Phase:  Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Heery International, Inc.
Designer: Miller Dyer Spears, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented a brief overview of the existing building, the proposed upgrades, and the District’s preferred solution of a renovation to the existing building.  The FAS and MSBA staff inquired about the cost of the renovation and contingencies carried in the budget, the educational plan in regard to the science labs, the science lab layout, structural issues at the existing building, use of the existing courtyard, special education space, and the need for the amount of proposed computer labs.  The FAS requested that the District reconsider the need and use of specific education areas such as the computer labs.  MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

Peabody Public Schools
J. Henry Higgins Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Daedalus Projects, Inc.
Designer: DiNisco Design Partnership, Ltd.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented a brief overview of the existing building, the options studied during the Feasibility Study, and the District’s preferred solution of new construction on the existing site.  The FAS and MSBA staff inquired about the site limitations, the layout of the building, the logistics and costs associated with swing space in the addition/renovation option, the usage and size of the proposed courtyard in the new option, and the costs associated with each option.  MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

May 23, 2012 Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting

The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the May 23, 2012 MSBA Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting.

Springfield Public Schools
Elias Brookings Elementary School
Current Phase:  Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Arcadis
Designer: Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc.

The District, the owner’s project manager, and the design team presented a brief overview of the existing building, the site, and the District’s preferred solution of new construction on a new site.  The Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (“FAS”) inquired about student access to fields, site circulation and drop-off, and how the design supports after hours use.  In addition, the FAS suggested that the District incorporate access to covered student drop-off areas in the design.  MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA Board of Directors.

Springfield Public Schools
Mary A. Dryden Veterans Memorial School
Current Phase:  Project Scope and Budget

Owner’s Project Manager: Arcadis
Designer: Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc.

The District, the owner’s project manager, and the design team presented a brief overview of the existing building, the site, the damage to the building from the tornado in June of 2011, and the proposed project.  The FAS inquired about the location of kindergarten and special education spaces and the use of the existing science classroom space. In addition, the FAS suggested that the District incorporate access to covered student drop-off areas in the design.  MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA Board of Directors.

At the conclusion of the District’s presentation, there was a discussion about the reimbursement that the District will receive from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for both of the proposed projects.

South Hadley Public Schools
Plains Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Arcadis
Designer: Margo Jones Architects, Inc.

The District, the owner’s project manager, and the design team presented a brief overview of the existing building, the site, and the District’s preferred solution.  The FAS asked the District to confirm the proposed classroom square footage for each grade level.  In addition, the FAS suggested that the District incorporate access to covered student drop-off areas in the design.  MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA Board of Directors.

Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical School District
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Heery International
Designer: Knight Bagge Anderson, Inc.

The District, the owner’s project manager, and the design team presented a brief overview of the repairs that they would like to perform at the building.  The repairs include accessibility code upgrades, hazmat remediation, and upgrades to the science lab classrooms.  The FAS encouraged the District to re-align the science program with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) standards and other current standards.  The FAS inquired about the layout of the cafeteria addition, expressing concerns about student circulation and the overall flexibility of the design.  The design team will continue to develop the design plans through the next phase of work.  MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA Board of Directors.

The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the May 2, 2012 MSBA Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting:

April 11, 2012 Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting

The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the April 11, 2012 MSBA Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting:

Georgetown Public Schools
Penn Brook Elementary School
Current Phase:  Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Municipal Building Consultants, Inc.
Designer: Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented an overview of work recently conducted to assess how relocating the 6th grade into the Penn Brook Elementary School supports the District in its efforts to address concerns at the existing Middle/High School.  The District also discussed how it intends to address issues associated with the spaces in the Middle/High School, how the revised layout of the Penn Brook Elementary School better supports its educational program, and reasons for the proposed siting of the facility.  The Facilities Assessment Subcommittee inquired about the flexibility of the revised layout, educational adjacencies, the number of classrooms, and the proposed location on the site.  The MSBA is currently working with the District to determine an agreed upon solution to forward to the MSBA Board of Directors as a conditional recommendation at the June 6, 2012 Board of Directors meeting.

Monomoy Regional School District
Monomoy Regional High School
Current Phase: Model School Program

Owner’s Project Manager: Skanska
Designer: Mount Vernon Group Architects, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented a brief overview of the site, site circulation, and how the model was adapted to meet the District’s educational program.  The Facilities Assessment Subcommittee asked about the location of the 8th grade students, intended use of the computer rooms and team rooms, and specific educational adjacencies.  The MSBA will continue to work with the District and anticipates that the schematic design will be scheduled to be considered at the July 25, 2012 Board of Directors meeting.

March 14, 2012 Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting

The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the March 14, 2012 MSBA Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting:

Greenfield Public Schools
Greenfield High School
Current Phase: Schematic Design

Owner’s Project Manager: Construction Monitoring Services, Inc.
Designer: Dore & Whittier Architects, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented a brief overview of how they determined new construction to be the District’s Preferred Solution.  The District discussed site issues and how its Preferred Solution supports their educational program.  The Facilities Assessment Subcommittee inquired about the use and design of the District’s proposed computer labs, overall computer infrastructure in the facility, and their environmental research and sustainable living programs.  The MSBA is currently working with the District to determine an agreed upon solution to recommend to the Board of Directors.

Winthrop Public Schools
Winthrop Senior High School
Current Phase: Designer Selection

Owner’s Project Manager: Skanska USA Building, Inc.

The District presented an overview of its current educational program associated with each of its four existing school facilities and existing district-wide grade structure.  Additionally, the District spoke about their continuing work to address educational goals as part of this Proposed Project.  The MSBA looks forward to working with the District during Feasibility Study towards development of an appropriate and cost-effective solution.

January 11, 2012 Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting

The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the January 11, 2012 MSBA Facilities Assessment Subcommittee Meeting:

Georgetown Public Schools
Penn Brook Elementary School
Current Phase:  Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Municipal Building Consultants, Inc.
Designer: Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented a brief overview of how they determined new construction to be the District’s Preferred Solution.  The District discussed site issues and how its Preferred Solution supports its educational program.  The Facilities Assessment Subcommittee inquired about the proposed grade reconfiguration and the impact to other District schools.  The Subcommittee also asked several questions about the District’s SPED spaces, the proposed use of the Perley School, and the District’s maintenance practices.  The MSBA is currently working with the District to determine an agreed upon solution to recommend to the Board of Directors.

Newburyport Public Schools
Bresnahan Elementary School
Current Phase: Model School Program

Owner’s Project Manager: Heery International
Designer: HMFH Architects, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented a brief overview of the site, site circulation, and how the model was adapted to meet the District’s educational program.  The Facilities Assessment Subcommittee noted the efficient adaptation of the model school to serve a larger student population and inquired about the future use of the Brown School (current home of pre-K students).  The MSBA will continue to work with the District and looks forward to its schematic design submittal currently scheduled for consideration at the March 28, 2012 Board of Directors meeting.

Webster Public Schools
Park Ave Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study 

Owner’s Project Manager: RFWalsh Collaborative Partners
Designer: Dore & Whittier Architects, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented a brief overview of how they determined new construction to be the District’s Preferred Solution.  The District discussed grade reconfiguration, site issues, and how its Preferred Solution supported its educational program.  The Facilities Assessment Subcommittee inquired about how this project may create space in the existing high school building and how the District plans to use this space.  The MSBA is currently working with the District to determine an agreed upon solution to recommend to the Board of Directors.

West Bridgewater Public Schools
West Bridgewater High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Strategic Building Solutions
Designer: Flansburgh Associates, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and Design team presented a brief overview of the options they investigated and how they determined new construction to be the District’s Preferred Solution.  The District described how its Preferred Solution supports its educational program.  The Facilities Assessment Subcommittee inquired about specific educational spaces, adjacencies, and technology to be included in the proposed project.  The MSBA is currently working with the District to determine an agreed upon solution to recommend to the Board of Directors.