It is with serious pause that we digest the recent comments made by Timothy Cahill, Massachusetts State Treasurer and Chair of the MSBA, regarding the Wellesley High School Building Project. Please see below for a discussion of these recent comments.
From the outset, we have been committed to identifying the most educationally appropriate and cost-effective long-term solution for the residents of Wellesley and the Commonwealth. We thank you for your continued participation and interest in this effort.
~ The Wellesley School Building Committee
Concern Over Project Scope
In recent comments, Timothy Cahill (State Treasurer and Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority) commented that he feels the cost of Wellesley High School Project, estimated to be approximately $159 million, is too high and expressed concern about the project scope.
Cost containment and long-term value have been of upmost priority to us, as members of the School Building Committee. It is therefore extremely important that we understand the basis for this perception and the conclusions drawn. To this end, Mr. Cahill has suggested that a meeting with him and the Executive Director of the MSBA, Katherine Craven, take place this month to review the concerns that he has raised. State Representative Alice Peisch has said that "such a meeting will be a good opportunity to review the project and the end result should be a high school project that meets the needs of the community at a reasonable cost to the town and the state."
We look forward to the opportunity to review and discuss all aspects of the project and to identify areas of further value. We welcome all input and advice from the MSBA on how to reduce costs and deliver long-term value. It has always been our focus to define an optimal solution while providing realistic cost estimates.
The costs of this project are significant and the decisions we are making are comparable to those our forebearers made over 70 years ago and in the many decades since. We take this burden very seriously and weigh the costs today against the costs of the future.
We share Mr. Cahill's concern for the burden placed on town residents and we strive to find the best value for every dollar invested in town assets. We are confident that together we can move forward with the optimal solution which makes sense for Wellesley and for the Commonwealth as large. We look forward to working with the MSBA over the coming months to define that solution.
Ongoing Efforts
Efforts continue on many fronts:
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to optimize space so that every square foot is scrutinized for utilization and value; |
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to address parking (both during construction and long-term). The Parking Committee has studied the variables and several options have been developed. There will be an informational meeting on the parking options during construction on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30 pm in the Great Hall of Town Hall; and |
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to evaluate the benefits/payback of Green initiatives. |
Our efforts will continue throughout the summer months. We will continue to provide updates as information develops. We look forward to providing a comprehensive update on these and other developments to town residents in early September.
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Important Dates
Replay of Final Decision Point Meeting The May 15th SBC meeting at which they reviewed the project criteria and made a final determination on which option to pursue will be replayed on The Wellesley Channel as follows:
In June -
Tuesdays, 8:30 am Wednesdays, 7:30 pm Thursdays, 2:30 pm Fridays, 12:30 pm Saturdays, 12:00
am
Reference Articles
Recently added:
A Building Project Decision, by Katherine L. Babson, Jr., Chair of SBC. A summary of the recent decision by the SBC to pursue a High School Building Project based on the "Hub:" option, an all-new construction project.
Moving Forward: MSBA meets with SBC, by Katherine L. Babson, Jr. Chair of the SBC . A summary of the initial meeting (2/28/08) with the MSBA on the Wellesley High School Building Project.
The WHS Project: A Principal's Perspective, by Andrew Keough, Wellesley High School Principal and SBC Member. Insights into how a high school building is integral to the learning experience, effective curriculum delivery and a student's sense of well-being.
WHS: a 50-year Solution, Physically and Functionally, by Tom Goemaat, Member of SBC. While the physical building must be built to last 50 years, it must also be functional for as long. This article provides a summary of why past proposals have failed to meet both objectives and why there really is no "low cost" option.
Reality Check on the WHS Building, by Steve Gagosian, Member of the SBC and Permanent Building Committee. A cursory look at the condition of the WHS physical plant and state of the systems and structures.
Building for the future, by Tom Goematt, Member of the SBC. A preliminary cost evaluation of the High School options, including the critical factors and variables which impact costs.
Learning from Others, by Cynthia Westerman, Member of the SBC. A summary of the site visits to local high schools which have recently undergone renovation and/or new construction.
For Performance or Sport: The Space Matters, by Suzanne Littlefield, School Committee and SBC Member. A summary of the School Committee decisions regarding design of the Auditorium and Gymnasium spaces to enable the WPS Educational Program.
Enabling Core Values, by the SBC. The key principles (in order of priority) to serve as the foundation for decision-making in the High School Project.
The WHS Project and You, by Katherine L. Babson, Jr., Chair of the SBC. The impact of the High School Project on each and every resident and the commitment to two-way communication.
How Public Education has evolved in Wellesley, by Bella Wong, Superintendent of the Wellesley Public Schools. How the many changes in teaching methods, state and federal mandates to education, and the importance of the extracurricular programs impact the current Educational Program.
WHS Project: The Pieces of the Puzzle, by Bella Wong, Superintendent of the Wellesley Public Schools. A summary of the physical space needed to enable the WPS Educational Program. The resulting "Architectural Educational Program" details what is included and where it is located and as such, becomes the basis for the building design.
WHS Project: The Importance of Site, by Marlene Allen, Member of the School Committee and Chair of the Interboard Land Use Working Group. A summary of the study conducted by the Land Use Working Group to assess the constraints and opportunities afforded by the land parcels adjacent to the current High School site.
SBC Members
Katherine L. Babson, Jr. Selectmen Representative SBC Chairman
Steve Baker Citizen-Architect
Tom Goemaat Citizen-Contractor
Steve Gagosian PBC Representative
David Mooney Advisory Committee Member
Andrew Keough High School Principal
Hans Larsen Executive Director
Suzy Littlefield School Committee Representative
Kathy Mullaney PBC Projects Administrator
Cynthia Westerman Citizen-Project Manager
Bella Wong Superintendent of Schools
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