The following District presented on the progress of their proposed project at the March 9, 2016 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:
Town of Hanover
Sylvester Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: P-Three Inc.
Designer: Mount Vernon Group Architects, 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 relocate students in Grades 2-4 currently attending the Cedar Elementary School and the Sylvester Elementary School into a District-wide Grades 2-4 addition and renovation project at the existing Center Elementary School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: 1) the relationship between Hanover’s Educational Plan and the proposed layout; 2) the importance of ample space to accommodate student circulation; 3) the potential for breakout spaces within the existing portion of the building; 4) courtyard maintenance; 5) maximizing use of outdoor spaces for educational purposes; 6) flexibility of grade structure within the building design; 7) the variations in classroom sizes between the existing and new buildings; 8) spaces to support Professional Learning Communities (PLCs); 9) the potential for E-Rate funding; 10) consideration of FM enhancement for the hearing impaired; 11) the phasing and safety plan during occupied construction; and, 12) adjacencies and incorporation of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) rooms throughout the building to align with the District’s educational goals.
The FAS requested additional information, including an updated narrative and graphics to describe District considerations regarding the location of STEAM spaces so that these programs may be better incorporated into the Core Curriculum.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.