The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the November 15, 2017 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the "MSBA") Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the "FAS") Meeting:
Town of Ipswich
Winthrop Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: PMA Consultants, LLC
Designer: HMFH Architects, Inc.
The Town of Ipswich (the "District"), the Owner's Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District's preferred solution to consolidate the existing Winthrop Elementary School and Doyon Elementary School in a new building on the existing Doyon Elementary School site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the comparison of this proposed project to the previously approved building and site; 2) the district's educational plan; 3) accessibility; 4) the location of Special Education spaces; 5) the location of elevators; 6) the District’s commitment to a co-teaching model; 7) the location of teacher collaboration spaces; 8) site circulation and parking; 9) the building's connection to the forest and methods of engagement; 10) ownership of the adjacent properties; 11) the impact of potential future flooding and infiltration; and, 12) the feasibility of an addition/renovation on the Doyon site.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA's Board of Directors.
Town of Ludlow
Chapin Street Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: STV/DPM
Designer: Mount Vernon Group
The Town of Ludlow (the "District"), the Owner's Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District's preferred solution to replace the existing Chapin Street Elementary School and the Veterans Park Elementary School with a new grades 2-5 elementary school on the site of the existing Chapin Street Elementary School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the building's orientation and organization; 2) the consolidation of Chapin Street Elementary School with Veteran's Park Elementary School; 3) the utilization of small group rooms; 4) the utilization and safety of the "STEAM" classroom; 5) scheduling and location of the Adaptive P.E. program; 6) the district’s co-teaching models; 7) site topography; 8) impact of potential rainwater infiltration; and 9) security of the building during community after-hours use.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA's Board of Directors.
City of Easthampton
Maple Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Colliers International
Designer: Caolo & Bieniek Associates, Inc.
The City of Easthampton (the "District"), the Owner's Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District's preferred solution to replace the existing Maple, Center, and Pepin Elementary Schools and the existing White Brook Middle School with a new grade PK-8 facility at the existing White Brook Middle School site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the appreciation for the District taking the additional time to consider the reorganization of the facility; 2) the organization of the proposed building layout and how it will function; 3) the current location of core spaces such as the cafeterias and media center, and the impact to adjacent academic spaces; 4) the incorporation of sinks in all classrooms; 5) the vision of the technology labs/rooms within the educational program, the adjacencies within the floor plans, and the potential for utilizing the square footage differently; 6) the location of the art room on the second floor, and the lack of natural light; 7) the increase in cost per square foot of the preferred alternative since the September 20th FAS meeting; 8) appreciation for including the additional grade 5-8 new middle school alternative to its list of potential options; and 9) the square footage variances between the combination of two schools versus two separate schools.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA's Board of Directors.