The following district presented on the progress of their proposed project at the January 23, 2019 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the "MSBA") Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the "FAS") Meeting:
City of Gardner
Waterford Street Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Colliers International
Designer: Jones Whitsett Associates, Inc.
The City of Gardner (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 Waterford Street Elementary School and the existing Elm Street Elementary School with a new PK-4 facility to be located on the Pearl Street site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the location of the proposed building and the impact that clearing the forested area for construction of the building and parking lots will have on drainage and potential flooding; 2) the reduction in number of transitions for students; 3) incorporation of two sinks in each classroom; 4) the number of kindergarten students per classroom; 5) the proposed staffing and coordination of media center areas; 6) the proposed technology uses in the facility; 7) the importance of professional development and teacher planning time as it relates to the proposed changes to teaching methodology; 8) appreciation of the Educational Program and building layout; 9) the District's Special Education program and the distribution of Special Education spaces in the proposed facility; 10) impacts of site constraints and natural topography on proposed parking; 11) incorporation of nature/natural setting into play spaces and curriculum; 12) the potential for a "school in the woods" concept as the design progresses; 13) the timeline associated with acquisition, control, and use of the site; 14) the location of the service entrance; and, 15) the size and flexibility of the cafeteria for future use.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.