The following districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the September 17, 2025 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:
District: Franklin County Regional Vocational Technical School District
School: Franklin County Technical High School
Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Colliers Project Leaders NE, LLC
Designer: Lavallee Brensinger Architects
The Franklin County 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 for a new grades 9-12 regional technical high school on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed the following: appreciation of the District’s Educational Program; DESE review of the District’s Chapter 74 viability documentation and clarification of where the existing Veterinary Science and Aviation programs are located; proposed locations of Special Education spaces and the DESE review process following Schematic Design; appreciation of the simple design and massing; the proposed number of lunch seatings; considerations associated with the safe handling of hazardous materials and location of safety data sheets in associated classrooms, shops, and the main office; flexibility of the proposed Chapter 74 spaces to accommodate new technology and equipment as curricula evolve; potential opportunity for the Culinary program to share storage and infrastructure with the kitchen if appropriate; potential opportunity for science labs to share storage space and prep rooms where applicable; discussion of potential uses for rooftop space; clarification of site circulation and public access; interest in further development of geothermal energy plans; solar orientation, sustainability and resiliency considerations; the proposed use of interior glazing and opportunities to balance transparency, security and climate control; further development of the architectural design including depth of entrance awning and relationship between media center and the two-story volume of the central commons; estimated project cost; and, importance of faculty and staff feedback as the design progresses, including input from facilities staff as it relates to maintenance considerations.
District: Town of Dracut
School: Joseph A. Campbell Elementary School
Phase: Schematic Design
Owner’s Project Manager: LiRo-Hill Corp.
Designer: Mount Vernon Group Architects, Inc.
The Town of Dracut (the “District”), the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an update on the District’s preferred solution of a new grades K-5 elementary school, plus Pre-K, to consolidate the student population of the existing Joseph A. Cambell Elementary School, and Greenmont Elementary School on the Joseph A. Cambell Elementary school site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed the following: further development of the design since submission of the District's Preferred Schematic and appreciation for improvements made to the building layout to meet the District’s needs; anticipated DESE review of the District’s Special Education submission; clarification of staffing plans for the proposed media center; and, proposed construction delivery method.
