News Update -- MSBA Progress
The School Building Committee has continued its dialogue with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) about the High School project. The process has been constructive with the goal of undertaking a high school project that both meets the needs of the Wellesley community and is reasonable in cost. (See below for Project Status details.)
In an effort to keep the High School project on the timeline set out last Spring, meetings will be held and critical decisions will be made in the next few weeks. The SBC hopes to keep the High School project on track for the proposed summer 2010 construction commencement. (See below for Key Meeting Dates coming up.)
Project Status
As reported in the June 23rd SBC Newsletter, the MSBA has asked the SBC to review a renovation/addition option. The scope of this High School project option has been scaled down from the original educational specification, with a resulting significant reduction in cost. The three committees-SBC, PBC and School Committee-are analyzing the option for its impact on the educational program, the site, construction issues, phasing, duration and costs. In addition, the committees are pursuing opportunities to make improvements to the option.
While the SBC review of the MSBA option is occurring, the School Committee will be making similar reductions in scope and cost to the HUB/new construction option, voted as the preferred option by the SBC in May. The School Committee efforts will include understanding the implications on the educational program. The School Committee's intent is to reduce the cost of an all new construction option without significant compromises to the educational program.
Key Meeting Dates
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Tuesday, July 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall at Town Hall, the School Committee will review potential reductions in project scope. This meeting will be broadcast live on the Wellesley Cable Access Channel. |
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Wednesday, July 9th at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall at Town Hall, the SBC will meet. |
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Thursday, July 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Kingsbury Room at the Wellesley Police Department Headquarters, the School Committee will vote on reductions in project scope. |
The public is invited to the meetings to learn more about the High School project and to provide citizens' input.
Next Steps
The SBC will continue to keep the community informed of meetings and actions taken by the various committees and the ongoing discussions with the MSBA.
The goal of a High School project that is supported by the community and significantly funded by the MSBA will be achieved through collaboration and compromises with the MSBA. This can be accomplished through the continuing hard work and thoughtful efforts of the Town committees and the Town's willingness to scale back on scope and cost of the 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 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 |
