The following districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the July 21, 2021 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:
Town of Norwood
Dr. Philip O. Coakley Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Compass Project Management Inc.
Designer: Ai3 Architects LLC
The Town of Norwood (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 to replace the Dr. Philip O. Coakley Middle School with a new facility serving students in grades 5-8 on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation of the Educational Program and consideration of proposed changes to the District’s grade configuration; further development of the proposed floor plans; distribution of Special Education spaces and continued development of fully accessible spaces; the relationship between academic neighborhoods and student common areas; the location and adjacency of the art rooms to the auditorium; the location and use of two kitchen and dining areas; consideration of the number of sinks in the fifth grade classrooms to support project based learning; the building’s connection to outdoor spaces; the character and scale of the building from the street and upon approach; the site circulation and access to the building; the relationship to conservation property; and, the proposed sustainability goals.
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 Tyngsborough
Tyngsborough Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Leftfield, LLC
Designer: JCJ Architecture
The Town of Tyngsborough(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 Tyngsborough Middle School with a new facility serving grades 6-8 on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation of the District’s educational program; distribution of Special Education spaces; transition from public spaces to academic wings; proposed building orientation and associated site constraints; connections to the existing high school and transition from the building to the outdoor spaces; opportunities for outdoor learning; accessibility of outdoor learning spaces for individuals with hearing, visual, and physical impairments; shelter and access to the building for individuals with limited mobility; and internet access for all students both in school and at home.
MSBA staff are currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
Town of Webster
Bartlett High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Colliers Project Leaders NE, LLC
Designer: Flansburgh Associates, Inc.
The Town of Webster (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 for a renovation project at the existing Bartlett High School that will continue to serve students in grades 9-12 and will incorporate district-wide pre-kindergarten. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation of the reuse of the building, the landscape design and the preservation of existing natural site features, and the innovative Educational Program; importance of a professional development plan to encourage teacher collaboration; consideration of the adjacency of social studies and English classrooms near science classrooms to encourage interdisciplinary work; review of the distribution of Special Education Spaces; location and the arrival experience of the Pre-K entrance; the building’s location on the site and flexible outdoor spaces; consideration for maintenance of the outdoor learning space; the continued development of the building's massing and the constraints of existing structural system; aesthetic features of the building’s covered entryways; and the site development plan and the proposed relocation of the existing main vehicular path away from the proposed building.
MSBA staff are currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
