In light of the June 8 deadline for choosing a schematic design for Hildreth Elementary School, Superintendent Linda Dwight urged the School Building Committee to take significant steps toward that decision by narrowing down the four alternative plans. At their May 12 meeting, committee members voted unanimously to build a new cafeteria rather than expand the existing one, effectively erasing what had been known as Option 1 of the four alternative plans, and they agreed on the importance of sending out a survey for community input. Dwight also explained increases in cost estimates across all options, including $300,000 to house district offices in the 1980s building or in new construction.
In order to move closer to putting forward one plan, Dwight had placed the narrowing of the four existing options high on the meeting agenda. Of the four schematic plans, three of them are renovation, with different degrees of new construction, while one is all-new construction. All four options call for demolishing the existing K-wing and replacing it with similar square footage; renovation options all include bringing the 1980s building up to code, adding flexible space to accommodate the education plan, and housing district offices. In addition to those “givens,” Option 1 called for an enlarged cafeteria. In discussing this option, the committee concluded that expanding the existing cafeteria would not result in significant net gain. Further, they realized the cafeteria is in a very awkward place in the building’s footprint, which would make a new traffic flow for the building very difficult to implement. An important advantage to a new cafeteria is that because it could accommodate larger numbers at one time, the space could be used for educational activities around the lunch schedule. The committee voted unanimously to build an entirely new cafeteria, effectively eliminating Option 1, and this new alternative plan is now called Option A.
Option 2 called for a gymnasium enlargement—storage area and seating—while Option 3 called for the construction of a new gym. The committee did not take a vote between these two options; instead they created Option B, which, in addition to a new cafeteria, adds a range of possibilities for the gym, from expansion to new construction. Total new construction is now Option C.
Although there has been extensive outreach by the school, such as forums and visits to various organizations, and building committee meetings have been open to the public with an opportunity for questions, Dwight said she thinks it is important to put out a survey accessible to the whole community. Cost estimates and tax increases for Options A, B, and C were unavailable at Press time, but are included in the survey, which was expected to be posted online this week and available in hard copy at the public library and Hildreth House. The survey is an opportunity for the community to respond; the decision will be made by the 10-member building committee.
Making alternatives comparable
Dwight explained the most recent cost increases that were, in most cases, made across all four design options in order to keep the alternatives comparable. (These cost estimates appeared in the May 12 Press, “Decisions due soon on Hildreth elementary project.”) One factor in the latest increase is the choice of a “middle-of-the-road” heating and ventilation system, rather than a basic one. Another is the inclusion of central administrative offices in the elementary school, a move the committee has determined is more cost effective than bringing Bromfield House up to code compliance in order to keep the offices there. The removal of hazardous materials is a cost in all four plans because of the necessity to remove the K-wing. A $5,100,000 figure for setting up and removing modular classrooms shows up in all but the option to build a new school rather than renovate. Although the greatest disruption for students will be the replacement of the K-wing space, other students will have to be relocated while ductwork and other renovations are made in the 1980s building. The remodeling will be extensive: “I wouldn’t call it a gut job, but close to it,” said committee member Ron Ostberg. Lastly, adjustments have been made for classroom space not accurately accounted for in earlier cost projections and additional flexible spaces to facilitate small-group learning as stipulated in the HES education plan.
After the committee makes its choice on June 8, Arrowstreet will begin work on the final design plan and budget, with a goal of having that information by November. The 2018 Annual Town Meeting will vote to accept or reject the proposal.
