The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the December 14, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Blue Hills Regional Technical School District
Blue Hills Regional Technical High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Dore & Whittier, LLC
Designer: Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented a status update of preliminary options studied during Feasibility Study for renovations to the Blue Hills Regional Technical High School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the team’s ability to establish a scope and budget based on the variability of options; 2) the incorporation of a covered shelter from the front door to the curb; 3) programming concerns regarding future relevance of AutoCad and Auto Collision; 4) continued association with the District’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program; 5) consideration of providing lecture areas within vocational shops; 6) locating permanent equipment/utilities along perimeter walls; 7) providing an opportunity for Blue Hills students to be active in the proposed project; 8) the importance of getting students more involved in performing and visual arts; and 9) an appreciation of DESE’s recent discussions with the District regarding Chapter 74 programs.

MSBA staff awaits the District’s submission of its Preferred Schematic Report and will work with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

Triton Regional School District
Pine Grove Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Pinck & Company, Inc.
Designer: Dore & Whittier, LLC

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented a status update of preliminary options studied during Feasibility Study for renovations to the Pine Grove Elementary School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) identifying scope related to proposed accessibility; 2) the proposed need/utilization of a dedicated S.T.E.A.M. room; 3) the possibility of performing project-based learning in general classrooms at the elementary grade level; 4) consideration of installing sinks in all general classrooms; 5) the importance of employing a professional librarian; 6) concern for the current/proposed allotted time dedicated to physical education;  7) consideration of ways to bring back more physical education; 8) consideration of the proposed amount of space associated with the Media Center; 9) the District’s feelings about providing Pre-Kindergarten; and 10) the apparent high cost associated with the limited repair options that were investigated to date.

MSBA staff awaits the District’s submission of its Preferred Schematic Report and will work with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.

The following District presented on the progress of their proposed project at the October 19, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Town of Westport
Westport Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Daedalus Projects, Inc.
Designer: Jonathan Levi Architects

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented its overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to replace the existing middle school facility with a new Westport Middle/High School on the existing site, serving the District-wide grades 5-12 student population. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the function of the courtyard and outdoor classroom; 2) grade configuration; 3) department versus clusters at the middle and high school level; 4) use and location of specialty spaces: child care, TV studio, maker space; 5) teacher involvement of educational programming and design of potential project; 6) potential future development of design; 7) schedule; 8) interest in Model School Program; and 9) community outreach and support.

The District and its consultants will draft a work plan for the MSBA’s review as it relates to any action items resulting from the FAS. MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

The following District presented on the progress of their proposed project at the October 13, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

City of Lynn
Pickering Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: LEFTFIELD, LLC
Designer: Raymond Design Associates, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented its overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to replace the existing Pickering Middle School facility with two new middle school buildings on two different sites.

The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the proposed location of special education spaces at the end of clusters and the importance of dispersing these spaces; 2) the increasing District-wide enrollment; 3) the potential reduction in designer and OPM fees associated with utilizing a previous design as proposed for re-use of the recently constructed Thurgood Marshall Middle School; 4) science Lab sizes and safe occupant capacity, suggestions to create a second means of egress, and limited access to prep rooms; 5) project areas and suggestions for opening-up into cluster-facing orientation; 6) scheduling and the potential for ‘teams’ to create their own schedules; 7) re-districting as it relates to the potential for creating ‘buffer zones’ for a temporary period of time; 8) future and proposed use of the play fields associated with McManus Park; 9) schedule as it relates to the District’s readiness for submitting a schematic design to MSBA by early January 2017 and the local permitting and approval process associated with land ownership that would impact the process for entering into a Project Funding Agreement; 10) the presence of vernal pools at the Reservoir site; 11) community concerns as they relate to opposition for locating a new school building at the Reservoir site; and, 12) historic documentation related to ownership and title of land associated with the proposed sites and securing access and control in a timely manner.

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 District presented on the progress of their proposed project at the August 24, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Town of Millis
Clyde F. Brown Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Compass Project Management, Inc.
Designer: Tappé Architects, Inc.

The Town of Millis (the “District”), the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented its overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to replace the existing Clyde F. Brown Elementary School with a new grades PK-5 elementary school on the “knoll” portion of the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) distribution of Special Education spaces; 2) handicap accessibility and shelter at drop off locations; 3) Article 97 land transfer and its effect on project schedule; 4) involvement of facility management staff and safety officials throughout the project; 5) safety and storage of materials relative to the art program and maker spaces; 6) selection of instructional materials for the media center collection; 7) maintenance of outdoor spaces and gardens during the summer; 8) use of mechanized gym partitions; 9) security and visibility of students entering from the bus drop off; and 10) site circulation at the parent pick up/drop off area.

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 District presented on the progress of its proposed project at the June 29, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Town of Bourne
James F. Peebles Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates
Designer: Flansburgh Architects

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to replace the existing James F. Peebles Elementary School with a new District-wide grades 3-5 elementary school on the existing site.  The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the function of the stage and its ability to accommodate different size groups; 2) the function of the Innovation Studio and the outside classroom; 3) the importance of providing professional development for staff; 4) the importance of limiting the number of student transitions; 5) the design of the entry, site circulation, and location of parent pick up/drop off area; 6) the integration of technology throughout the school being driven by the curriculum; 7) the benefits that can be realized with the use of FM systems in classrooms; 8) the flexibility of classroom size and furniture; 9) the handicap design provisions and accessibility; and 10) the community’s support of the proposed grade re-configuration.

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 District presented on the progress of its proposed project at the June 15, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

City of Somerville
Somerville High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: PMA Consultants
Designer: Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates 

The City of Somerville (the “District”), the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution for an addition and renovation project at the Somerville High School, including the grade 6-8 Next Wave Junior High School (“Next Wave”) and grade 9-12 Full Circle High School (“Full Circle”) alternative school programs.  The FAS, MSBA staff, and District discussed: 1) the connection of the Next Wave/Full Circle programs to the High School; 2) vocational/technical program adjacencies; 3) the location of Special Education spaces; 4) the availability of natural light in art rooms; 5) the location of the Freshman Experience Program; 6) the location of the makerspace; 7) the location of breakout spaces; and, 8) District and community use of the Somerville City Cable studio.

The FAS requested the following: 1) that the District and the design team review adjacencies in the floor plan as they are described in the educational program; 2) updates to the educational program to include any revisions based on the latest discussions with DESE and the MSBA; 3) a description of public support for a project of the proposed scope, size, and cost; 4) a brief update regarding the status of the approval process for inclusion of the two alternative schools and the Chapter 74 vocational programs; 5) assurance that the City has fully compared the various design options for this study given the recent reduction to the scope and budget of the project with significant revisions to the preferred solution; and 6) a complete record copy (hard copy and electronic) of the Preferred Schematic Report (“PSR”) that incorporates all content and all updated material.

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 District presented on the progress of its proposed project at the May 4, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

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

Owner’s Project Manager: SKANSKA USA Building, Inc.
Designer: HMFH Architects, Inc.

The District began its presentation by describing the status of its Master Planning efforts and key aspects of its educational program. Then, together with its owner’s project manager and design team, briefly presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to construct a new Josiah Quincy Upper School at the site of the existing McKinley School.  The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the status of the Master Planning and reported school capacity in the City’s existing facilities; 2) future plans for the current McKinley students and plans for the former Abraham Lincoln School when the proposed project is complete; 3) the design and fit-out of the science rooms; 4) incorporating break-out and shared use spaces that allow for small group and project work where they can be supervised by the teachers, and how additional dialogue with the educators could improve the layout; 5) reviewing the layout regarding the proposed locations of the small group rooms and finding another location better suited to providing supervision; 6) the sensitivity of the proposed design to the neighborhood; 7) bringing natural light into the center of the school; 8) the integration of technology throughout the school; 9) the potential for E-Rate funding; 10) the benefits that can be realized with the use of voice amplification systems in the classrooms; 11) the locations of the special education classrooms; 12) year round use of the facility; and 13) community outreach.
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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 District presented an update regarding its proposed project at the April 20, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Town of Amherst
Wildwood Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: NV5, Inc.
Designer: JCJ Architecture, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to consolidate the existing Wildwood Elementary School and Fort River Elementary School into two new “co-located” elementary schools, as one building serving grades 2-6 on the existing Wildwood Elementary School site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) updates to the floor and site plans since the February 24, 2016 FAS meeting; 2) community outreach efforts; 3) shelter and handicapped access at the front entrance; 4) the scheduling and integration of STEAM programs and project based learning; 5) the importance of having at least one sink in each classroom; 6) the importance of safety in and educational use of the proposed maker space; 7) technology plans; and 8) the benefits of providing voice amplification in classrooms.

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 District presented on the progress of their proposed project at the March 9, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Town of Hanover
Sylvester Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: P-Three Inc.
Designer: Mount Vernon Group Architects, Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to relocate students in Grades 2-4 currently attending the Cedar Elementary School and the Sylvester Elementary School into a District-wide Grades 2-4 addition and renovation project at the existing Center Elementary School.  The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the relationship between Hanover’s Educational Plan and the proposed layout; 2) the importance of ample space to accommodate student circulation; 3) the potential for breakout spaces within the existing portion of the building; 4) courtyard maintenance; 5) maximizing use of outdoor spaces for educational purposes; 6) flexibility of grade structure within the building design; 7) the variations in classroom sizes between the existing and new buildings; 8) spaces to support Professional Learning Communities (PLCs); 9) the potential for E-Rate funding; 10) consideration of FM enhancement for the hearing impaired; 11) the phasing and safety plan during occupied construction; and, 12) adjacencies and incorporation of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) rooms throughout the building to align with the District’s educational goals.

The FAS requested additional information, including an updated narrative and graphics to describe District considerations regarding the location of STEAM spaces so that these programs may be better incorporated into the Core Curriculum.

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 District presented on the progress of its proposed project at the February 24, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Town of Amherst
Wildwood Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Joslin, Lesser + Associates, Inc. – an NV5 Company
Designer: JCJ Architecture

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to consolidate the existing Wildwood Elementary School and Fort River Elementary School into a new elementary school serving grades 2-6 on the existing Wildwood Elementary School site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the World Language Program and how the program fits into the proposed design of the building; 2) the number and location of parking spaces; 3) the infrastructure for proposed technology; 4) the importance of flexibility in design; 5) the location of the media center; 6) the importance of community and teacher support; 7) professional development for educators; 8) site and zoning requirements; 9) site constraints; 10) building layout and design; and 11) the size of the proposed cafeteria.

MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

The following District presented on the progress of their proposed project at the January 6, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Town of Needham
Hillside Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Employee, Town of Needham
Designer: Dore & Whittier Inc.

The District, the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to replace the existing Hillside Elementary School with a new K-5 facility on the Central Avenue site.  The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the various elevations and the incorporation of outdoor learning spaces relative to the floodplain; 2) flexibility of the media center and general education classrooms; 3) the Educational Program related to the inclusion of technology and foreign language components; 4) considerations related to handicap accessibility; 5) the organization of the cafeteria, including the subzones and eating spaces incorporated into guidance counselor offices; 6) the dedicated space for book storage; 7) incorporation of the Early Learning Center Program throughout the proposed building layout; 8) scheduling related to proposed spaces and delivery of STEAM programming; 9) the integration of science programming in general classrooms; and 10) traffic and administrative controls for site circulation.

The FAS requested additional information regarding: 1) circulation related specifically to the proposed extended learning areas and how they will be further developed in the Schematic Design phase; 2) access and use of the Town of Wellesley’s property for play fields associated with the District’s preferred solution, and how it relates to scope, budget, and schedule; and 3) the District’s further development of building and site elevations related to the floodplain.

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