LPS Elementary Master Plan 2006 DPC

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Lexington Elem. Schools Master Plan Study A. PROJECT BACKGROUND The public school system of the Town of Lexington includes the Lexington High School, two middle schools, six elementary schools, and a central administration building (the "White House "). Of the 6 elementary schools, one is in a new building (Harrington), 4 are in buildings dating from the 1950's (Bowman, Bridge, Estabrook and Harrington), and one (Fiske) is housed temporarily in an old school building (old Harrington) while its new building is being completed. DPC was engaged by the Town of Lexington in July 2006 to undertake a Master Plan study of its elementary school system. This engagement follows in the steps of several previous school master planning and study efforts. Among other considerations, this current master planning effort needs to address several major system -wide elementary school issues: With the exception of the two new schools, all of the elementary schools are 50 years old, with building systems and enclosure elements having met or exceeded their useful service life. Additionally, these buildings do not meet current standards for educational space size or handicapped accessibility. Serious inequities exist, both educationally and from a facilities standpoint, between the two new schools and the 4 old schools. Recent enrollment projections by the Lexington Public Schools show a likely significant decline in elementary school enrollments over the next few years, which potentially changes the long -term elementary school needs of the town. Against this background, DPC's primary charge is to develop a long -term master plan for Lexington's elementary schools. The working assumption is that no new sites would be available for school construction. Consequently, master plan options are presumed to involve either renovation and expansion of existing schools, replacement of existing schools on their existing sites, or some combination of those approaches. A related short-term objective of the study effort is to assist in the current re- districting effort by calculating appropriate student capacities for the existing elementary schools, taking into account non - classroom space needs for specialized instructional programs such as art & music and the space needs of special education programs, both school- specific and district -wide. An additional part of the charge is to investigate alternatives and recommend a solution for housing the school department's central administration functions. This is considered a high priority concern, as the existing central administration building is severely undersized for its function and in poor condition. A recent design study indicates a very high cost to renovate and expand the existing building for this purpose.