This morning, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board formally voted to approve the Project Concept for Schematic Designs for the Wellesley High School Building Project: A 280,000 square foot, one phase, all-new construction project.
This approval enables Wellesley to move forward to the schematic design phase and is one step closer to a final project to bring to a Special Town Meeting in October and, with its approval, to the voters of Wellesley.
Please see below for details.
The Wellesley School Building Committee
A Productive Meeting
The MSBA Board meets regularly to review school building projects and to vote on specific process milestones. For details on the process and key decision points, see the MSBA Process Flow Chart (see pg 2 on the link).
The Agenda this morning included the Wellesley High School Building Project and our request for approval of the Project Concept (the type, size and target cost of the project). The details of Project Concept had been developed in collaboration with the MSBA over the past several weeks.
During the meeting, State Treasurer Timothy Cahill and MSBA Director Katherine Craven both expressed appreciation for the constructive and professional process which has yielded this Project Concept. They made specific mention of the constructive input and responsiveness of State Representative Alice Peisch and SBC member Tom Goemaat.
The close collaboration with the MSBA will continue as we move to develop detailed schematic designs and cost estimates.
Project Concept Approved
The approval of the Project Concept for Schematic Designs is based on the recent agreement reached between the SBC/PBC and the MSBA. The agreement allows for the following:
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a 280,000 square foot, all-new construction facility on the current site; |
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construction and design costs not to exceed $110 million (termed "grant eligible costs," this is the sum eligible for the MSBA grant funding of 40% or up to $44 million); |
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required ineligible costs are under review and will include the following: parking, traffic and sidewalk mitigation, cost of additional short-term classrooms for enrollment, Seaver Street acquisition cost, additional funds for elements of green technology for educational purposes, and escalation and contingency costs not included in the eligible portion. |
The SBC and PBC will be working closely with the MSBA over the next few weeks to prepare a comprehensive project plan to submit to the MSBA in mid-September. The submission will include cost estimates and design schematics.
We anticipate that the MSBA will be voting on the Project Scope and Budget on September 29th. Approval at that point will enable us to proceed to a Special Town Meeting in October.
Important Dates
Much work on the design, site and exterior will be taking place at the upcoming PBC meetings every Thursday evening at Town Hall. Please check the Town website for the specific time of the High School agenda items as many other items are covered in these meetings.
Additionally, we encourage your attendance at the following meetings:
Wed, Aug 20 at 7:30pm Great Hall, Town Hall SBC/PBC meeting to review progress drawings of floor plans and exterior concepts. This is an excellent opportunity for the public to view and provide input on the project design.
Wed, Sep 3 at 7:30pm Great Hall, Town Hall The Parking Committee will hold an informational session on its recommendations for parking during construction.
Wed, Sep 10 at 7:30pm Great Hall, Town Hall SBC/PBC meeting for the final review of conceptual floor plans and exterior direction. Cost information will also be available as it will be included in the final submission to the MSBA a few days later.
Wed, Sep 17 at 7:30pm Great Hall, Town Hall ADVISORY PUBLIC HEARING on the Wellesley High School Building Project.
Mon, Oct 20 at 7:30pm Tue, Oct 21 at 7:30pm WMS Auditorium SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Precinct Meetings have been scheduled for: Oct 16 at 7:30pm (Pcts. C/D), Warren Building Oct 19 at 1:00pm (Pcts. A/B), Police Station Oct 19 at 2:45pm (Pcts. E/F/G), Police Station
Tue, Dec 9 Special Town Election scheduled for the Debt Exclusion Ballot Question
We will provide schedule updates and meeting notices in future issues of this newsletter and on the town website. We thank you for your continued focus and attention on this important building project.
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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 Goemaat, 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 Permanent Building Committee (PBC) Representative
David Mooney Advisory Committee Representative
Andrew Keough High School Principal
Hans Larsen Town 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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