The following Districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the March 20, 2019 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the "MSBA") Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the "FAS") Meeting:
Town of Braintree
South Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: Hill International, Inc.
Designer: Miller Dyer Spears, Inc.
The Town of Braintree (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 South Middle School with a new grades 5-8 facility on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) an appreciation of the District’s educational program and its relation to the proposed building layout; 2) design limitations associated with site topography and the location of the existing building to remain; 3) site circulation and location of pick-up/drop-off areas; 4) shelter and access to the building for individuals with limited mobility; 5) distribution of special education spaces and specialized programs; 6) access, use, and maintenance of the proposed courtyard; 7) potential to relate the courtyard to the student experience, interior circulation, and possible connections to the educational program; 8) the proposed elevator location and associated travel time required within the building; 9) the proposed location of the art room, media room and academy commons; 10) the capacity of the proposed music storage areas; and, 11) community outreach and how MSBA's financial participation in the proposed project is being communicated to the District.
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 Rockland
Jefferson Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner's Project Manager: PMA Consultants
Designer: Symmes, Maini, and McKee Associates
The Town of Rockland (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 Jefferson Elementary School and the existing Memorial Park Elementary School with a new district-wide grades 1-4 facility on the site of the existing Memorial Park Elementary School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) an appreciation of the District's educational program and organization of academic neighborhoods; 2) distribution of special education spaces; 3) the size and function of the proposed courtyard; 4) the function of the maker space area for grades 1 and 2; 5) the proposed location of the music room in relation to guidance offices; 6) the use of the proposed "learning stairs"; 7) the overall massing of the proposed building; 8) the proposed location of parent and bus pick-up and drop-off locations; and, 9) shelter and access to the building for individuals with limited mobility.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA's Board of Directors.