A New Minnechaug A New Beginning

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A New Minnechaug- A New Beginning

• A Proposal to Build a New Minnechaug Regional
  High School

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Lets Start at the Beginning
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STOP!
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Playing by the New Rules

• The role of school districts is to define the
  problem. Our job will be to work with them to
  create the solution!
• State Treasurer
• Timothy Cahill
• and
• School Building Authority Director Katherine
  Craven.

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Qualifying Attributes

• Applications considered in the context of
  statutory priority, facilities condition index
  score, enrollment and other factors
• (1.) Replacement or renovation of a building
  which is structurally unsound or in a condition
  seriously jeopardizing the health and safety of
  school children.
• (2.) Elimination of existing overcrowding.
• (3.) Prevention of loss of accreditation.
• (4.) Prevention of severe overcrowding.
• (5.) Replacement, renovation or modernization of
  the heating system to increase energy
  conservation and decrease energy related costs.
• (6.) Short term enrollment growth.
• (7.) Replacement or addition to obsolete
  buildings in order to provide a full range of
  programs consistent with state and local
  requirements.
• (8.) Transition from court-ordered and board
  approved racial balance.

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New Guidelines

• Phase 1 Determine the building condition,
  enrollment projection, proposed projects fit
  with the statutory priorities, understanding of
  communities educational goals and where it fits
  with the master facilities plan
• Phase 2 MSBA Board selects projects which are
  allowed to apply
• MSBA funds more comprehensive facilities
  assessment
• Community submits more detail about project to
  MSBA
• Site OK? Environmental problems?
• Schematic Designs showing district goals and fit
  with MSBA guidelines
• MSBA decides reimbursable portions of plan and
  what reimbursement rates apply
• Phase 3 Community demonstrates local
  willingness to move forward with project
• Votes
• Funding
• Commitment to set aside funds for operations and
  maintenance of proposed building

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What this project is!

• The best investment of a large sum of money to do
  the most good over a longer period of time.
• The best solution that addresses more of the
  issues at one time than any current solution.
• Creates the least construction disturbance during
  the life of the project.
• Can be completed and go on line in the least
  amount of time than the other options.
• A recommendation from a community based group
  comprised of citizens from both communities.

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What this project isnt!

• An attempt to build a new school for the sake of
  building a new school
• A far-fetched idea that has not been given much
  thought
• The most expensive therefore the least cost
  effective
• An idea developed by the School Committee and
  Superintendent

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Maintenance- Short-term

• Fix it when it breaks
• Change the filter, Change the oil.
• Keep up with repairs
• Preventative style
• Yearly Costs for the past seven years 80,000 to
  85,000

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• Some work done to repair/replace boiler, partial
  roof and pool filter system (1998-1999)
• Self-study indicates many more problems exist
  (1999-2000)
• 15 million dollar Capital Project repair list
  developed (2000-2001)
• Superintendent reviews list and develops goal to
  review all related issues repairs, codes,
  asbestos, security, structural, energy and
  HVAC(2002)

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• Facility Study Committee becomes sanctioned by
  School Committee(2004)
• Dore and Whittier selected to do study (2004)
• Study Completed and presented to School Committee
  (2005)
• School Committee accepts recommendation from FSC
  to build new school and votes to proceed(2005)

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• Met with town officials to set timelines and
  discuss other issues (2005)
• Name building committee (2005)
• Develop charge for Building Committee(2005)
• Begin the process per State guidelines(2005)
• Submitted Statement of Interest(2006-2007)
• Identified as a school in need of replacement or
  major renovation (2007)

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• Selected as a Model School participant (2008)
• Review two model schools (2009)
• Conduct site visits (2009)
• Building Committee
• Members of School Committee
• District and school staff
• State and District agree to pursue programmatic
  needs with identified model school (2009)

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• Selected as a Model School participant
  (2008-2009)
• Review two model schools (2009)
• Conduct site visits (2009)
• Building Committee
• Members of School Committee
• District and school staff
• State and District agree to pursue programmatic
  needs with identified model school (2009)

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The New Minnechaug?
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• Tentative selection of Ashland High School
• Designer selected Mount Vernon Group
• The Designer of the selected model school will
  adapt the design to a suitable site within the
  school district and tailor the design to the
  required design enrollment and programmatic needs
  of the district.
• The goal is to minimize redesign of the selected
  Model School and maximize the value of an
  existing proven design.

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Current Steps

• Ongoing meetings with MSBA to determine
  population and size of building
• Develop schematics to determine cost estimates
• Work with Building Committee to define scope
• Seek approval from MSBA Executive Board

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What is left!

• Develop schematics and cost estimates (2)
• Determine final costs and educational program
  with MSBA
• Determine final reimbursement rates
• Receive approval from MSBA Board of Directors
• Inform public through a variety of meetings
• Set dates for vote
• Vote on project

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Next Step

• School Committee votes to borrow for
  Design/Schematics to determine costs
• 500,000
• Reimbursable by MSBA (sign agreement to continue
  process)
• Rate 62.73 (500,000x62.73 313,650 MSBA)
• Wilbraham 137,899 (27,580x5) (5.50 to 6.25)
  (280K to 300K)
• Hampden 48,451 (9,691x5) (4.92 to
  6.00) (280K to 300K)

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Summary

• This is a community project!
• Much work still required- Much work completed!
• Statement of Interest?
• Site survey and studies?
• Resolve sewer issue?
• Solving the problem(consultation with State)
• Model School ?
• Respond to new requirements ?
• Proceeding through the process (Model School)
• Design and estimate
• Selected Ashland Model ?
• Approval by state (Summer of 2009)?
• Approval by voters (Fall of 2009)?

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One More Thing

• Borrowing for 25 years Chapter 70B
• Current law allows for 20yrs Chapter 71
• MSBA wishes to work with us to change law
• Add Regional Schools to language
• Simple adjustment
• Supported by MARS
• Legislative team has been contacted