The following districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the September 25, 2024 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting
Town of Longmeadow
Glenbrook Middle School
Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Colliers Project Leaders NE, LLC
Designer: Jones Whitsett Architects, Inc.
The Town of 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 consolidate the student population of the existing Glenbrook and Williams Middle Schools and construct a new facility serving 665 students in grades 6-8 on the existing Williams Middle School site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed the following: appreciation of the District’s thoughtful Educational Program; importance of continued input from educators, administrators and other staff as the design develops; accessibility considerations for outdoor learning spaces; assignment procedures for guidance and adjustment counselors; the proposed auditorium as it relates to community use and middle school theater productions; drop-off area and sheltered access to the building for individuals with limited mobility; indoor/outdoor connections, location of the proposed fire lane, and use of the proposed outdoor learning areas; consideration of geothermal wells and possible locations on the site; incorporation of lessons learned from existing middle and high school facilities in the proposed design; considerations associated with the proposed consolidation; design concepts centered on middle school students including interdisciplinary neighborhoods and opportunities for supervised independence; and view of the proposed building upon approach and further development of the scale and massing.
Town of Southborough
Margaret A. Neary Elementary School
Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Skanska USA Building, Inc.
Designer: Arrowstreet, Inc.
The Town of Southborough (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 consolidate the student population of the existing Margaret A. Neary and Woodward Elementary Schools and construct a new facility serving 610 students in grades 2-5 on the site of the existing Margaret A. Neary Elementary School. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed the following: appreciation for the District’s thoughtful consideration of grade configuration in an effort to reinforce educational goals and minimize transitions for young learners; importance of continued input from teachers, administrators and other staff as the design develops; appreciation for the World Language program and suggestion to incorporate flexible furnishings in the associated classroom to allow for varied activities; accessibility considerations for outdoor spaces and play areas; careful selection of soft flooring materials as the design is further developed; site drainage and permitting considerations; sustainability goals and consideration of geothermal wells; clarification of site constraints and buildable area; existing emergency access road and proximity to the adjacent middle school; proposed parking area locations as well as opportunities to reduce parking and increase green space if possible; and appreciation for the logical design and building organization.
