The following districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the March 15, 2023 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:
Town of East Longmeadow
East Longmeadow High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Skanska USA Building, Inc
Designer: Jones Whitsett Architects, Inc (in association with SMMA)
The Town of East Longmeadow (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 proceed into Schematic Design to replace the existing East Longmeadow High School with a new facility serving grades 9-12 on the site of the existing school. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation of the Educational Program; distribution of Special Education program spaces and the DESE submittal process; indoor/outdoor connections and intended use of proposed outdoor learning and dining areas; site circulation, parking and sheltered walkway from bus drop-off; entry into the site and visual connection to the main entrance of the building upon approach; opportunities to simplify massing as design progresses; considerations associated with assignment methodology for guidance counselors to students; incorporation of State Seal of Biliteracy and opportunity to include ASL; schedule of health and physical education classes to encourage physical activity year round; location of the proposed dark room and graphics programs and distance from the art rooms; potential challenges associated with transporting set materials from art classrooms to stage; location of the proposed loading dock in relation to cafeteria, auditorium, and art programs; location of the proposed cafeteria and associated design considerations to reduce sound from interfering with adjacent spaces; and, opportunities for students to engage in projects in adjacent wetlands.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
Whitman-Hanson Regional School District
Whitman Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Colliers Project Leaders USA NE, LLC
Designer: Ai3 Architects, LLC
The Whitman-Hanson 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 proceed into Schematic Design to replace the existing Whitman Middle School with a new facility serving grades 5-8 on the site of the existing Whitman Middle School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation of the Educational Program; plans for professional development for 5th and 6th grade teachers as it relates to the proposed changes to grade configuration; further development of the proposed two main entrances and use of a common entrance plaza; consideration of hierarchy for approach to the site and clear identification of entrance to the building; opportunities to refine site circulation and appreciation of island buffer for bus parking; State Seal of Biliteracy and world language program opportunities for English Language Learner students; considerations associated with distribution of grade levels per floor; relationship of the covered outdoor classroom to the science room; distribution of Special Education program spaces and DESE submittal process; cost considerations associated with the proposed Auditorium and communication from the District to inform its residents of related costs; the proposed curved academic wings and opportunities to consider segmentation to simplify design for constructability; and, status of Lease language.
MSBA staff are currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
