AHFC School Report 10 2009 Final

Browse Search

Town committees had anticipated that all of the schools would eventually be replaced with new buildings. The current Commonwealth school construction reimbursement program (the "Massachusetts School Building Authority" or "MSBA ") applies criteria for participation that are much harder to meet than were those of the former SBA program. If a Lexington project were able to meet the more stringent criteria, the Town could expect reimbursements just above the 30% range. It is with this observation that the AHFC recommends that Bowman and Bridge be renovated due to the low likelihood of either school being approved to receive MSBA funds for either renovation or a total replacement. • While the AHFC presents recommendations below, these recommendations may be reprioritized due to other realities and the political pressures of "overrides." In responding to item 2, above, of the School Committee charge, the AHFC notes that less than acceptable building conditions are tantamount to "deficiencies having an effect on the educational process." Thus the Committee focused on attending to the renovations at the elementary schools in the same light as the proposed renovations and new construction at the high school. • The AHFC recommended that the School Committee submit to the MSBA a "Statement of Interest" (SOI) for the High School, because the High School project seems more likely to be approved than the other projects in the Master Plan. Having said that, the Committee also believes that the proposed building program needs to be fully vetted. The AHFC notes that some aspects of the work at Lexington High School may need to precede the SOI acceptance because of existing conditions, but recommends that as much of the full scope of work be in stride with the main renovation and new construction project as the SOI process and its timing allow. Recommendations With a quorum present, the Ad Hoc School Facilities Committee unanimously voted the following recommendations. (Note that the recommendations are not listed in priority order.) High School: Prepare and submit the Statement of Interest for the full project as described in the Design Partnership Master Plan. Thereafter, write Warrant Articles for design and then construction. Go through the necessary selection processes. 2. High School roofing and mechanical systems scope requiring immediate attention: Write a Warrant Article to cover the bid documents and construction related to the High School roof and mechanical systems scope requiring immediate attention. Go through the necessary selection processes. 3. Bowman and Bridge: Write an Article to cover the preparation of Bid Documents for Priority 1 and 2 + HC -1 and HC -2 scopes of work as contained in the Design Partnership Master Plan. Solicit designer interest and select the designer. Thereafter, prepare an Article for construction. Go through the necessary selection processes.