The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the June 5, 2019 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the "MSBA") Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the "FAS") Meeting:
Town of Sharon
Sharon High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: PMA Consultants, LLC
Designer: Tappé Architects, Inc.
The Town of Sharon (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 Sharon High School with a new facility serving grades 9-12 on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) an appreciation of the Education Program and the District’s response to the subcommittee's comments; 2) the consideration of the chemical storage square footage requirements and introducing microchemistry into the curriculum; 3) an appreciation of the proposed layout; 4) the incorporation of the construction process used as a teaching and learning tool; 5) the district's approach to world languages and the future of language lab and instruction; 6) the difference between the Innovation Labs and STEAM rooms; 7) the distribution of the toilet rooms and consideration of gender-neutral options; 8) reducing the long-term utility cost by modifying the building's footprint; 9) an appreciation of the façade's design; 10) the project's sustainable goals and the preliminary exploration of opportunities to approach Net Zero for energy usage;11) the relationship between the cafeteria and media center and its visual connection to the outdoor natural resources; 12) the consideration of ease of access to the stage for set design; and,13) confirmation of conversations with District’s facilities teams to simplify future operation of the building systems.
The FAS requested additional information regarding: 1) how the District will reduce operational costs associated with the general classroom wings; and, 2) the life skills spaces.
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 Easton
Center Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: PMA Consultants, LLC
Designer: Perkins Eastman
The Town of Easton (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 Center Elementary School, Moreau Hall Elementary School and Parkview Elementary Schools with a new facility serving grades PK-2 district-wide on the existing Parkview Elementary School site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the educational program and its relation to the proposed building layout; 2) evolution of the Community Center, Learning Kitchen, and Central Administration space, 3) progress of the conceptual design and modifications made since submission of the Preferred Schematic Report; 4) community support for the proposed project; 5) the scheduling of science and social studies programs; 6) program delivery for English Learners and space for small group instruction; 7) the importance of professional development and teacher collaboration; 8) the distribution of special education spaces; 9) the further development of landscape plan to include differentiation between structured play areas, outdoor classrooms and open green space in addition to student transitions and learning opportunities; and, 10) an appreciation for proposed learning zones and curriculum choices.
The FAS requested additional information regarding: 1) the educational program; 2) floor plans; 3) the space summary, 4) the site plan; 5) the Preliminary Design Pricing Table; and, 6) Local Actions & Approvals.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA's Board of Directors.
Acton-Boxborough Regional School District
C.T. Douglas Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Skanska USA Building, Inc.
Designer: Arrowstreet, Inc.
The Acton-Boxborough Regional School District (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 C.T. Douglas Elementary School and the Paul P. Gates Elementary School on the existing Paul P. Gates Elementary School site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) an appreciation for the level of clarity provided in the updated plans and presentation, especially regarding how proposed shared spaces and the two unique school identities interact through the use of unifying elements; 2) opportunities for further development of the site, incorporating more buffers and separation between the building and vehicular traffic; 3) opportunities to further develop the proposed scale and image of the south elevation and front entrance of the building, and consideration of how the north elevation distinctly scales down the size of the building from that perspective; 4) the location of the south facing art and music classrooms, and how those proposed spaces may utilize the natural light expected from their positioning; 5) the long corridors proposed in the design, and consideration of how each corridor could be more clearly defined for the youngest population of students; 6) opportunities for further development of the service entrance, and additional separation from the proposed outdoor play areas; 7) opportunities to develop play areas through the use of creative building envelope and landscape design; 8) opportunities to more clearly define Pre-Kindergarten students use of proposed outdoor play areas as part of the educational curriculum; 9) further consideration for the proposed cafetorium partition, and how students entering from one side may need to traverse through the proposed partition; 10) consideration for building in flexibility in the design of some grade 1 classrooms to potentially serve Kindergarten students in the future; and 11) consideration for the incorporation of the learning commons and utilizing the natural topography of the existing site.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA's Board of Directors.
