The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the March 13, 2019 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the "MSBA") Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the "FAS") Meeting:
Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District
G.H. Mitchell Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Daedalus Projects, Inc.
Designer: Raymond Design Associates, Inc.
The Bridgewater-Raynham 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 George H. Mitchell Elementary School with a new facility on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the educational program and its relation to the proposed building layout; 2) grade reconfiguration and opportunity for increased alignment throughout the District; 3) the importance of input from teachers and early education specialists in educational planning; 4) the importance of professional/staff development; 5) clarification of interdisciplinary and project-based learning models; 6) the proposed location of the stage in relation to the gym and cafeteria; 7) the MSBA's "Review and Recommendations of Best Practices for K-12 STEM Learning Spaces" report and Staff Recommendation for 2018 Science/Technology/Engineering Area Guidelines as it relates to integrating more than one sink in general classrooms; 8) utilization of the proposed maker space; 9) distribution of special education spaces; 10) an appreciation for the integration of PK classrooms; 11) an appreciation for the location of breakout spaces; 12) the proposed location of adaptive PE and OT/PT rooms and opportunities for improved adjacencies; 13) outdoor play spaces, parking and opportunity to further develop landscape plan as design progresses; 14) clarification of estimated site, demolition and hazardous materials costs for the two 'new' options; 15) project schedule; and, 16) community outreach.
The FAS requested additional information regarding the inclusion of increased parking.
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 Millbury
Raymond E. Shaw Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Hill International
Designer: Turowski2 Architecture, Inc.
The Town of Millbury (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 Raymond E. Shaw Elementary School with a new grades 3-6 facility on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the MSBA's "Review and Recommendations of Best Practices for K-12 STEM Learning Spaces" report and Staff Recommendation for 2018 Science/Technology/Engineering Area Guidelines and appropriate adjustments in schematic design; 2) site development features that are not typical of an elementary school project; 3) an appreciation of the District's educational program; 4) the site layout, parking and interest in understanding further development of both; 5) the proposed building massing and associated further development; 6) opportunities to enhance the building entry development; 7) refinement of proposed mechanical equipment location in the attic space; 8) proposed outdoor rooftop learning activities and opportunities to refine adjacency/access from maker-space; 9) special education spaces and their connection to the proposed "neighborhoods"; 10) consideration for providing one or two larger special education spaces for future use as self-contained classrooms; 11) consideration for future flexibility of special education spaces; 12) consideration for including sink-mounted eyewash provisions in classrooms, testing of potable water; 13) avoiding book storage beneath lab tables; 14) accessibility to outdoor learning spaces; 15) science and social science instruction; and 16) potential for adjacency improvements related to toilet room locations near "performance" areas.
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) opportunities to further develop site layout and improve buffering between vehicle and pedestrian traffic; 2) special education spaces and their proximity to/distribution around the general education classrooms; 3) ensuring equitably sized spaces in both special and general education; 4) consideration for providing two new CASE collaborative special education classrooms; 5) an appreciation for the District's goal to achieve triple Net Zero for the project; 6) the level of development of the building organization; 7) the lack of connection between the proposed building layout and the District’s goal of creating a facility that supports the two separate school identities ; and, 8) organization of the grade level groupings and circulation through the building.
The FAS requested additional information regarding: 1) the design's impact on adjoining wetlands and what is driving the proposed amount of paved parking areas.
MSBA staff understand that the District will continue to work to refine its floor plans for a future Preferred Schematic submission.