The following District presented on the progress of their proposed project at the January 6, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:
Town of Needham
Hillside Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Employee, Town of Needham
Designer: Dore & Whittier Inc.
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 Hillside Elementary School with a new K-5 facility on the Central Avenue site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the various elevations and the incorporation of outdoor learning spaces relative to the floodplain; 2) flexibility of the media center and general education classrooms; 3) the Educational Program related to the inclusion of technology and foreign language components; 4) considerations related to handicap accessibility; 5) the organization of the cafeteria, including the subzones and eating spaces incorporated into guidance counselor offices; 6) the dedicated space for book storage; 7) incorporation of the Early Learning Center Program throughout the proposed building layout; 8) scheduling related to proposed spaces and delivery of STEAM programming; 9) the integration of science programming in general classrooms; and 10) traffic and administrative controls for site circulation.
The FAS requested additional information regarding: 1) circulation related specifically to the proposed extended learning areas and how they will be further developed in the Schematic Design phase; 2) access and use of the Town of Wellesley’s property for play fields associated with the District’s preferred solution, and how it relates to scope, budget, and schedule; and 3) the District’s further development of building and site elevations related to the floodplain.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
