2011-11-AC-STM-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE REPORT TO NOVEMBER 2011 STM Warrant Article Analysis and Recommendations Article 2: Appropriate for Bridge Funds Funding Committee Requested Source Recommendation and Bowman Schools Reconstruction $21,670,000 Excluded Debt Approve (9-0) Background In 2006 and 2009 and in earlier years, the Lexington Public Schools adopted strategic facility master plans to guide the process of renovating current facilities and building new facilities. The objective of each plan was to ensure that the facilities adequately support the School System's educational program goals. The 2009 Facility Master Plan identified the Bridge and Bowman Elementary Schools, among others, as buildings that require significant capital investment. The Bridge and Bowman buildings are 45 and 44 years old, respectively. Many of the building systems have not been updated since the original construc- tion. Evaluation during the master planning found that the basic structures of the two buildings are for the most part sound, and that there is no need to replace them. However, the roof of the Bowman School and the HVAC and other mechanical systems of both schools are at or beyond their useful lives and it was recommended that they be replaced to maintain the schools in a condition suitable for education. The School Committee followed up on the Master Plan in 2010 by requesting that design funds be appro- priated, and that the Department of Public Facilities and the Permanent Building Committee support the development of detailed plans, for the renovation of Bridge and Bowman. At the 2010 Annual Town Meeting, $750,000 in Design and Engineering (D&E) monies was appropriated to plan for renovations that would extend the useful lives of the buildings by about 10 years. This plan, called the "base scope," covers a new roof for Bowman, and new windows, HVAC systems, boilers, and hardware for handi- capped accessibility in both buildings. Later in 2010, the School Committee voted to enlarge the scope of the renovation plans for Bridge and Bowman to extend the useful lives of the buildings for 20 to 25 years, rather than just 10 years, and to address overcrowding concerns.' The enlarged scope includes all the items in the "base scope" and adds: the installation of sprinklers; floor plan changes to address security and administrative needs; upgraded plans for HVAC and lighting systems; the conversion of existing spaces to classrooms (four in each building); and new small-group instructional spaces in each school. The 2011 Annual Town Meeting ap- propriated$280,000 to augment the previously appropriated D&E monies so that the design could address the enlarged scope. The design process has proceeded, and the School Committee is now requesting appropriation of the funds necessary to carry out the project. As of the time of writing, the total estimated project cost is ap- proximately $22,639,000. This total includes contingencies, i.e., amounts to cover cost increases in case the bids received or the actual costs of construction exceed the best present estimates. It also includes the $1,030,000 previously appropriated for D&E costs. This article requests an appropriation of$21,670,000, the difference of the total estimated cost less the prior appropriation, rounded up for purposes of borrow- ing. The appropriation will be contingent upon the passage of a debt exclusion override referendum to be held in January 2012. Details of the project financing are described below. 'As of August 31,2011,Bowman had 517 students and Bridge had 513 students enrolled. Each school has 24 classrooms. Currently the schools are over their designed capacity,and teachers'rooms and closets have been converted for use as programmatic spaces. Page 6