We held our first meeting with the MSBA yesterday and have significant information to report. Please see below for details.
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~The Wellesley SBC
Initial Meeting with MSBA
On Thursday, members of the SBC met with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to review the High School Building Project. This was the first meeting with the MSBA since the announcement that Wellesley had been invited to proceed to the next stage of the process, the Feasibility Study Stage.
Prior to the meeting, the SBC compiled and submitted a comprehensive summary of work completed to date on the High School Project, including an executive summary and detailed historical and current information. Also included was a summary of options under review.
The meeting was very productive and the response was positive. The SBC will proceed as planned: To request funds at Annual Town Meeting to develop a final project plan; to seek Town Meeting approval in the fall; and ultimately a Town-wide vote in December.
Additional Information:
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The next step is to enter into an agreement with MSBA, the "Feasibility Study Agreement", in order to obtain reimbursement for those parts of our study that qualify. |
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The MSBA will review the submission prepared by SBC and focus on two critical areas: the enrollment projection and the educational program spaces. |
The MSBA anticipates they will complete the submission review by the end of March at which time they will contact the SBC.
The SBC will further discuss the meeting with the MSBA at the next regular SBC meeting on Thursday, March 6th at 8:00 am in Town Hall. As always, meetings are open to the public.
Moving Forward: Design Developments
The SBC has been working with the architects to refine the design approaches. Great progress has been made to identify one optimal design for each of the two approaches: the renovation/new addition and the all new construction. Particular direction has been given in the following areas:
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Phasing and project duration |
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Building massing |
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Verticality |
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Building orientation and optimal use of site |
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Access to main entry and major facilities |
Additionally, an analysis of the relative cost of building materials has been initiated; materials to be used will often drive early design decisions.
The architects have developed creative and effective solutions to the questions and direction they have received to date. SBC will be presenting these options in a series of public meetings. These meetings will be an opportunity for the residents of Wellesley to see and hear the most current information on the project approaches and to provide input on the decisions at hand.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend one of the following:
"Moving Forward" Meetings
Wed, Mar 12 at 7:30 pm Upper Town Hall, for constituent groups and the public
Sun, Mar 16 at 3:00 pm Wellesley Police Station, Community Room
Wed, Mar 19 at 7:30 pm Wellesley High School Library
Tue, Mar 25 at 9:30 am Wellesley Free Library, Wakelin Room
Cost Management Initiative
The SBC is committed to managing the cost of the High School Building Project in order to maximize the value of every dollar spent. The objective is to invest the taxpayers' money in a well designed and efficient educational facility which will serve the town well for at least 50 years. Of great importance is the SBC's goal to realistically set cost expectations and to manage them.
To this end, SBC will identify a sub-committee which will oversee cost containment efforts and focus on the critical success factors. The Cost Containment Team will initially focus and advise the SBC on the following:
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Design for construction efficiency |
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Conduct life-cycle cost analyses |
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Accurate cost estimation |
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Lessons from other towns |
Information on these efforts will be communicated as it becomes available.
If these walls could talk....
They say that a picture speaks a thousand words, so a short film can speak volumes to the physical condition of the Wellesley High School building.
The film is the creation of Cynthia Westerman (member of SBC) with the assistance of James Joyce (Executive Director of the Wellesley Cable Access Corporation) and takes the viewer on a tour of the WHS building. Specific conditions are shown and are described in detail.
The SBC hopes the film will be viewed by all town residents and encourages input and questions about the High School Building Project.
The film is entitled, "If these walls could talk...WHS from the Inside Out" and will be shown beginning on March 10 on the Wellesley Channel as follows:
Every Monday at 12:00 noon Every Tuesday at 3:00 pm Every Wednesday at 9:00 pm
We strongly encourage you to view the film and contact us with any questions or comments.
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Upcoming Meetings
Green Charrette Follow-up
Thu, Mar 6, 8:00 pm Town Hall PBC/SBC meeting. On the agenda: A review of the information provided by the architects on the following topics: rainwater harvesting, dual flush/waterless urinals, porous paving, solar votaics, and displacement ventilation
MOVING FORWARD: High School Project Updates
Wed, Mar 12, 7:30 pm Upper Town Hall, Constituents Meeting
Sun, Mar 16, 3:00 pm Wellesley Police Station, Community Room
Wed, Mar 19, 7:30 pm WHS Library
Tue, Mar 25, 9:30 am Wellesley Free Library. Wakelin Room
Reference Articles
Recently added:
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
Rusty Kellogg Advisory Representative
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 |
