March 15, 2006

 

 

 

Ms. Janet D. Allison

New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc.

Commission on Public Secondary Schools

209 Burlington Road

Bedford, MA 01730-1433

 

Dear Ms. Allison:

 

            Please accept this letter as our April 1st, 2006 Special Progress Report requested by the NEASC Commission.  The responses which follow are our best up-to-date answers for each of the areas identified by the NEASC Commission in the October 21, 2005 letter sent to Wayland High School. 

 

            Before I address the specific recommendations for each area, I would like to bring to the Commission’s attention a dilemma faced by Wayland High School and the Wayland community.  We are currently in the process of proposing to the community a complete facilities renovation or construction of a new high school building.  In fact, primarily due to the recent moratorium of state assisted building funds, this proposed building project was voted down at last year’s town meeting.  However, the documented need (as outlined in the accreditation report) has galvanized numerous community members to continue advocating for a significantly improved high school building.  The real hope is that a new or substantially renovated facility will be in place by 2011 or 2012 at the latest. 

 

            Given the prospects for a new or improved physical plant, the apparent dilemma is how to ensure the health and safety of all our occupants while simultaneously addressing the educational needs of students in our current building.   The challenge is to identify cost-effective ways to address the identified short-term issues while maintaining the high quality of education, a consistent hallmark of Wayland High School.  We recognize the dilemma of short-term physical plant expenditures that are “lost” when a long-term replacement solution is proposed.  We are also keenly aware of the need to provide both a safe and exemplary education for every student who graduates from this high school – both now and in the future.  In order to address this potential financial conflict effectively, we are proposing that a $50,000 capital expenditure for 2007 be included in this spring’s town meeting vote.  These funds will be specifically earmarked for consultation with architects, building construction experts and others whose advice will be needed to develop plans to address the


short-term deficiencies cited at the high school.  I am extremely pleased to be pursuing the development of a plan, with expert advise, that will permit us to offer a safe and comprehensive educational experience for all of our students, both long and short-term.  In keeping with NEASC Substantive Change Policy, I will report the results of the town vote regarding this planning capital expenditure immediately upon the completion of our April town meeting.         

 

            The future of Wayland High School’s physical plant will be determined in the short-term by this upcoming vote.  The long-term solution depends upon the Wayland citizens’ willingness, along with state approval, to fund a major high school construction project.   Those who support Wayland High School are dedicated to working hard to make this happen.  The NEASC Commission will be kept up to date about the success of this long-term construction effort. 

 

            I would like to conclude this report by addressing each of the physical plant issues identified for the Special Progress Report due by April 1st, 2006.  Many of the issues identified will be immediately addressed while others will be addressed by either the short-term capital expenditures recommended by the architects or by a long-term major construction project.  In each area delineated by the Special Progress Report, the goal is to address issues as quickly as possible.  Below is a list of the immediate physical plant issues identified by the Special Progress Report and potential short-term solutions where appropriate  – an update of the progress made will be included in the regular two-year NEASC progress report. 

 

(1)    Provide sufficient classroom space to adequately meet the educational needs of all students

 

  • Opening of two modular science classrooms – March ‘06
  • Adding an additional two classrooms – converting existing wood shop space into two functional classrooms – September ‘06
  • Potential of adding two additional modular classrooms – September ‘07    

↳funds to be included in capital budget plan – must be approved by town meeting in                 April ‘07 vote

  • This will adequately meet the classroom needs for the foreseeable future given short-term population projections
  • The long-term solution is town approval of a major renovation or new construction of current high school facility – earliest possible completion date 2011

 

(2)  Provide adequate, accessible, secure, and safe storage space throughout the facility

 

  • Additional storage space provided as designated by architectural review process – funds for architectural review included in 2006 capital budget proposed to town meeting
  • Some additional storage space provided by addition of new classrooms
  • Potential to provide sheds/trailers as additional storage space – proposed for 2007-2008 budget cycle – subject to town meeting approval

 

(3)  Provide a facility that is fully in compliance with all building codes

 

  • Hire an architectural firm to do assessment of short-term building code compliance issues – September ‘06

↳funds included in 2006 capital budget plan – must be approved by town meeting’s    April 2006 vote

  • Architecture firm recommends a three year prioritized list which addresses building code compliance issues, with special attention devoted to health and safety factors – January ‘07
  • The long-term solution is town approval of a major renovation or new construction of current high school facility – earliest possible completion date 2011

 

(4) Provide a facility that is fully in compliance with ADA handicapped accessibility requirements

 

  • ADA compliance issues addressed after short-term architectural review report documents specific ADA compliance needs
  • New science modules meet all ADA compliance issues
  • Potential for addition of two additional classroom modules each of which will meet all ADA requirements – September ‘07 – needs town vote approval
  • The long-term solution is town approval of a major renovation or new construction of current high school facility – earliest possible completion date 2011

 

(5)    Develop and implement a plan to provide a technology infrastructure that meets the instructional needs of students and teachers

 

  • Long-range technology plan has been developed by systems technology department
  • Funds expended and budgeted every year to address specific technology issues identified by school and/or teachers (150,000 dollars planned for FY ‘07 system-wide)
  • Fiber optics connections provided for two additional high school buildings – FY 05-06
  • High school technology committee (high school teachers representing each department and technology staff) established as an on-going review committee

 

(6)    Immediately remove storage shelves and furniture that block the required thirty-six inch egress from all classrooms and corridors

 

  • All egresses from classrooms will meet the thirty-six requirements – furniture and shelves will be moved to meet this requirement

 

(7)    Provide contemporary science classrooms with one student lab station per student in the class

 

  • Two new contemporary modular science classrooms opened – March, 2006
  • Additional funds (approximately $50,000 per year) will be included to modernize existing science classrooms in years 2-5 of new capital budget – the existing seven science classrooms will be renovated at the rate of two per year starting in 2007-2008 school year – requires town vote
  • The long-term solution is town approval of a major renovation or new construction of current high school facility – earliest possible completion date 2011

 

(8)    Provide within the facility a common space for whole school assemblies and sufficient seating for performances and theatrical events

 

  • The addition of new common space depends on town vote to renovate or build a new high school – this new construction cannot be expected until the year 2011 at the earliest

    •
  • Provide sufficient space to accommodate the meetings teachers have with individuals and small groups of students

 

  • Some additional small meeting space for teachers and students will be provided by the addition of four classrooms (2 new science modules and conversion of existing woodshop into two classrooms) during the next two years and the potential for two additional modular classrooms in year three of capital budget.  These additions will free up additional space currently used by undersized classrooms.
  • Creating larger numbers of small meeting place will be contingent on town vote for renovation or new building (first possible completion date is 2011)

 

(10) Correct the conditions causing improper lighting, including glare

 

  • Fifty thousand dollars will be included in next year’s capital budget plan for hiring architectural firm to outline a phased solution plan for building compliance and deficiencies (e.g., lighting) at high school – requires town vote
  • The correction of lighting deficiencies will be addressed in the review of short-term building compliance issues by an outside architectural firm – expected review by the end of 2006-2007 school year – requires town vote
  • The long-term solution is town approval of a major renovation or new construction of current high school facility – earliest possible completion date 2011

 

(11 & 12)  Correct all electrical system deficiencies and correct the conditions preventing

 proper air quality, heating, and ventilation in all spaces used for instruction

 

  • Fifty thousand dollars will be included in next year’s capital budget plan for hiring architectural firm to outline a phased solution plan for building compliance and deficiencies (e.g., heating, ventilation) at high school – required town vote
  • The correction of air quality, heating, ventilation and electrical deficiencies will be addressed in the review of short-term building compliance issues by an outside architectural firm – expected review by the end of 2006-2007 school year – required town vote

 

(13)  Correct all athletic facilities deficiencies, including inadequate field drainage

 

  • One million dollars being raised privately to fund the construction of a turf field on the site of current football field – if successful, this effort will alleviate short-term scheduling problems for athletic fields – proposed completion September, 2008
  • The long-term solution is town approval of a major renovation or new construction of current high school facility – earliest possible completion date 2011

 

As previously stated, many of the proposed solutions depend on town voters approving expenditures at town meetings.  The NEASC Commission will be kept informed about the outcomes of these votes and their impact on the educational program at Wayland High School.  If there are any additional questions, please feel free to contact me. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Charles P. Ruopp

Principal