The following districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the March 29, 2023 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:
Town of Hopkinton
Elmwood Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: The Vertex Companies, LLC (formerly known as Compass Project Management, Inc.
Designer: Perkins Eastman Architects
The Town of Hopkinton (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 Elmwood Elementary School with a new facility serving grades 2-4 on an alternative site referred to as the Hayden Rowe Street site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: the importance of professional development and collaboration opportunities for all teachers across disciplines; considerations associated with the integration and implementation of project based learning and interdisciplinary curricula, including resources, staffing and continued professional development; the MSBA's "Review and Recommendations of Best Practices for K-12 STEM Learning Spaces" report and Staff Recommendation for 2018 Science/Technology/Engineering Area Guidelines as it relates to staffing of STE rooms, classroom sinks and storage; appreciation of the overall building design, massing and scale of the academic neighborhoods for young learners; inclusion of a full-time Librarian; consideration of extending the proposed canopy to provide sheltered access to the building for individuals with limited mobility; distribution of Special Education spaces and DESE submittal process; site circulation and user experience of entry to the building; proximity of wetlands and opportunities for outdoor learning; and, clarification of setbacks and site constraints. as it relates to staffing of STE rooms, classroom sinks and storage; appreciation of the overall building design, massing and scale of the academic neighborhoods for young learners; inclusion of a full-time Librarian; consideration of extending the proposed canopy to provide sheltered access to the building for individuals with limited mobility; distribution of Special Education spaces and DESE submittal process; site circulation and user experience of entry to the building; proximity of wetlands and opportunities for outdoor learning; and, clarification of setbacks and site constraints.
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School District
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Leftfield, LLC.
Designer: JCJ Architecture, PC
The Whittier Regional Vocational Technical 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 Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School with a new facility serving grades 9-12 on the existing site (“Preferred Schematic”). The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation of the Educational Program; opportunity to use elements of the Educational Program as tools for community outreach; distribution of Special Education spaces and DESE submittal process; clarification of spaces that are exclusively dedicated to the delivery of Special Education Services; understanding of topographical challenges and site constraints; conceptual nature of the current floor plans; clarification of the building massing and architectural expression; experience and hierarchy of the second floor of the building; visual connections and ways to enhance programs for community use; entryway locations and vehicular access to building associated with related Chapter 74 Programming; importance of professional development and collaboration between academic and vocational teachers; consideration of interior shop layouts as it relates to clearances, and circulation into and out of the Automotive spaces; and, awareness of cost drivers, construction timeline and cost of materials.
MSBA staff are currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
