The following districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the February 2, 2022 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

City of Brookline
John R. Pierce School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study 

Owner’s Project Manager: Leftfield, LLC
Designer: Miller Dyer Spears, Inc.

The City of Brookline (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 addition and renovation project at the John R. Pierce School serving grades PK-8 on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation for the District’s Educational Program; connections between the proposed parking garage and the surrounding site, including access to adjacent Town buildings; use and maintenance of the proposed courtyard; building organization and circulation; the use of accessible ramps for school and public access; the location and use of Town storage; the World Language Program and existing Extended Day Program; location of the proposed geothermal wells; access to the building for individuals with limited mobility and opportunity to include a sheltered drop-off area; opportunities to refine indoor/outdoor connections; and, visual connection between the existing historic building and proposed new construction.

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 Hingham
William L. Foster Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

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

The Town of Hingham (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 William L. Foster Elementary School with a new facility serving pre-kindergarten through grade 5 on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation for the District’s educational program, distribution of special education spaces on the second level, proposed world language program offerings, site constraints and potential challenges as it relates to current and future floodplain projections, site circulation, development of site and landscape design and opportunities to further refine indoor/outdoor connections, community engagement and outreach for the proposed project, and the proposed project schedule which includes proceeding into design development ahead of MSBA approval of the proposed project.

MSBA staff are 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 March 30, 2022 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Town of Winchester
Lynch Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Hill international Company
Designer: Tappé Architects, Inc. 

The Town of Winchester (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 Lynch Elementary School with a new facility serving students in Pre-kindergarten through grade 5 on the expanded existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: Appreciation of the District’s educational program including professional development practices and World Language offerings, consideration of schedule to allow flexible timing, staffing related to the Library/Media Center, safety and storage of materials and supplies for the art program, efficiency of the floor plan, the building’s connections to outdoor spaces, parking locations and green space, complexity of site circulation with multiple entrances, opportunities for further development of the proposed site plan, consideration of construction impacts to adjacent neighbors, differentiation between the main entrance and secondary entrance, opportunities to explore additional funding resources for technology, electric charging stations for staff and general use, and site considerations and potential challenges as it relates to current and future floodplain projections.

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

City of Revere
Revere High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Leftfield, LLC
Designer: Perkins Eastman 

The City of Revere (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 Revere High School with a new facility serving grades 9-12 on an alternative site known as the “Wonderland” site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation of the District’s educational program as a model for urban communities; educational program offerings including pathway programs for college and career readiness; use of the proposed parking garage and opportunity for an additional exit should use be extended to the public; electric charging stations for both staff and general use; opportunities for site development for outdoor learning; the character of the building exterior; opportunity to include a sheltered drop-off area; the design of the long corridors broken into smaller eddies; transparency of central spaces and refinement of indoor/outdoor connections; opportunity to create more intimate performance space within the large theater; site constraints and potential challenges as it relates to current and future floodplain projections; the location and proposed utilization of the media center; opportunities for access to the site via public transportation; and considerations for mechanical systems including ventilation during the warmer months.

MSBA staff are 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 May 18, 2022 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

City of Haverhill
Dr. Albert B. Consentino Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Colliers Project Leaders USA NE, LLC
Designer: Dore + Whittier Architects 

The City of Haverhill (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 Dr. Albert B. Consentino Middle School with a new facility serving grades 5-8 on the existing school site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: the importance of District involvement in the visioning and development of the educational program; equity of resources and school building facilities across the District; current and planned professional development opportunities for staff; variations from MSBA space guidelines as it relates to the proposed science labs and classroom spaces; staffing related to the science labs and media center; proposed square footage of classrooms and anticipated class sizes; discussion of fifth and sixth grade in a middle school model as it relates to science curriculum and staff certifications; anticipated plans for middle school world language program; appreciation for the distribution for Special Education program spaces; separation of public spaces from the academic wings; proposed utilization, size, and number of extended learning spaces; presentation of extended learning spaces within the floor plans, appreciation of the layout of open spaces, and potential for increased efficiency as the design develops; flexibility of the cafetorium, multipurpose room and gymnasium; site circulation; and appreciation of the consistent floor plans across all four levels.

The FAS requested additional information regarding: 1) Floor Plans; The District provided updated floor plans with sizing adjustments to academic spaces for science and general classrooms on June 1, 2022. These plans are still in development and may still need to be adjusted to address some of the conversations noted above.  2) Educational Program; The District has been requested to provide an updated Educational Program that provides clarity on the City’s redistricting efforts, ongoing professional development, opportunities to train staff in the new facility, and expands on the world language program no later than Wednesday, June 22, 2022.  3) Summary of Redistricting; The District has been requested to provide a narrative of recent redistricting as described at the FAS meeting, along with an updated geographical map of school facilities and boundaries before and after redistricting efforts no later than June 22, 2022.

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 June 1, 2022 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Town of Wakefield
Wakefield Memorial High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Leftfield, LLC
Designer: Symmes Maini & McKee Associates

The Town of Wakefield (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 to replace the existing Wakefield Memorial High School with a new three-story facility serving grades 9-12 on the Beasley Oval of the existing school site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: The view of the building from the street and upon approach; proximity of wetlands and outdoor spaces to the building; considerations for drainage and stormwater management; landscaping opportunities between the school and football field; parking locations; Emergency access circulation; appreciation of the District’s educational program; distribution of Special Education spaces; considerations for acoustics and seating in the dining commons; community support for multiple school building projects; staffing of the library and media center; opportunities to group teacher planning spaces to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration;  sheltered access to the building for individuals with limited mobility; consideration of storage space in art rooms; and, opportunities for application of natural light in interior 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 districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the August 3, 2022 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting

Town of Maynard
Green Meadow Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Colliers Project Leaders USA NE, LLC
Designer: Mount Vernon Group Architects, Inc.

The Town of Maynard (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 Green Meadow Elementary School with a new facility serving pre-kindergarten through grade 3 on the existing school site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: District’s Educational Program and proposed scheduling; the importance of plans for professional development and teacher collaboration; the District’s use and operation of the STEAM classroom and Innovation Hub; consideration to expand on the push-in model for multi-lingual students; acoustics of the building and vertical connections between floors; clarity of architectural plans to support concepts; site circulation and secure student entrances; further development of the proposed site plan; and, community use of the building afterhours.

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 Amherst
Fort River Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Anser Advisory
Designer: DiNisco Design, Inc.

The Town of Amherst (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 student population of the existing Fort River Elementary School and the Wildwood Elementary School and construct a new facility serving grades K-5 on the site of the existing Fort River Elementary School. As a component of this proposed consolidation, the District has voted and approved to relocate the District’s 6th grade student population to the Amherst-Pelham Middle School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation for the compact design and small building footprint; preparation for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) special education submission in Schematic Design; requirement that self-contained special education classrooms and Intensive Learning Center (“ILC”) classrooms spaces that meet the minimum classroom sizes in the proposed project spaces to conform with DESE and MSBA requirements; location of the ILC rooms on the second and third floors; appreciation for the educational program and the explanation regarding the use of the kiln and details to ensure safety; project cost and potential cost drivers; number of proposed parking spaces; site constraints; community outreach; sustainability considerations as they relate to the Town’s commitment to Net Zero Energy; opportunities for further development of the site plan and indoor/outdoor connections; location of the main entrance and additional access points to the building; and, the civic expression of the building and its view upon approach.

MSBA staff are 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 November 22, 2022 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:

Nashoba Regional School District
Nashoba Regional High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study

Owner’s Project Manager: Skanska USA Building, Inc.
Designer: Kaestle Boos Associates

The Nashoba Regional School District (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 proceed into Schematic Design to replace the existing Nashoba Regional High School with a new facility serving grades 9-12 on the site of the existing school. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: the site plan and development of programmatic adjacencies; appreciation for the layout of the small learning communities and assembly areas, indoor/outdoor connections, and the educational program as an example for regional high schools; civic presence of the building and the view upon approach; transition between the athletic fields and the building; location of the “Connections” program and adaptive PE spaces and ongoing efforts to integrate those programs throughout the building; the existing athletic stadium; location of the robotics program; cost per square foot and understanding of potential cost drivers; and, potential opportunities to reduce cost including review of program to identify flexible/multi-use spaces and reduce square footage.

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