The Wellesley High School Building Project is right on track for a Special Town Meeting scheduled to begin October 20th.
Following the rapid progress made this summer and the agreement reached with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the building is closer than ever to becoming a reality.
The 280,000 square foot, one phase, all-new construction project will be the focus of Town Meeting review. If approved, the project will be brought to Wellesley residents on a ballot question in December.
This is an exciting time for Wellesley and we urge you to learn about the project in detail. We welcome your input and comments.
The Wellesley School Building Committee
Progress Continues
There remains a significant amount of work to be done prior to the Special Town Meeting in October.
First and foremost, we are preparing a comprehensive Project Plan to submit to the MSBA for review by mid-September. The Project Plan will be assessed and ultimately needs to be voted on by the MSBA. We anticipate this vote to occur on September 29th.
In tandem, we are providing information to the Advisory Committee and answering questions, as they prepare a recommendation to Town Meeting. The Advisory Committee report will be mailed to all Wellesley residents in early October and provide a summary of the Project Plan. The report will also be posted on the town website when available.
There remain major decision points and meetings in upcoming weeks:
Tue, Sep 9 - The School Committee will meet to discuss and vote on interim parking plans during construction (7:30pm, Town Hall).
Wed, Sep 10 - The SBC will hold an open review for the public on the Project Plan, including budget, schematics and exteriors to date. The SBC will vote on the Project Plan to submit to the MSBA (7:30pm, Town Hall).
Thu, Sep 11 - The PBC will vote on the Project Plan to submit to the MSBA (7:30pm, Town Hall).
Wed, Sep 17 - Advisory Committee PUBLIC HEARING on the High School Building Project (7:00pm, Town Hall).
Project Reports: Sun, Oct 5 at 3:00pm, Police Station Tue, Oct 7 at 9:30am, Wakelin Room, Main Library Tue, Oct 14 at 7:30pm, Town Hall
Oct 20/21 - Special Town Meeting (7:30pm, Wellesley Middle School auditorium).
Design will continue to be assessed and revised throughout September at the weekly meetings of the PBC on Thursday nights.
Budget Under Agreement
The Project Plan budget is being reviewed in detail by the SBC and will be included in the comprehensive summary provided to the MSBA.
In short, the budget is comprised of two pieces:
Grant Eligible Costs of $110 million. This is the sum eligible for the MSBA grant funding of 40% ($44 million). These costs include construction and design costs (hard costs), soft costs, one year of escalation and 5% contingency.
Required Ineligible Costs of approximately $25 million. These costs are integral to the project, but are not eligible for grant funding. These costs include the following: the requisite balance of escalation and contingency costs; 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 other project related costs.
The total Project Budget is approximately $135 million of which $44 million will be funded by a state grant from the MSBA. Therefore, the cost to the taxpayers of Wellesley will be approximately $91 million. |
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Reference Articles
Recently added:
WHS Project: Parking Considerations, by Marlene Allen, SBC member. A summary of findings of the Parking and Transportation Working Group on the interim parking plans during construction of the High School Building.
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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