HSBC Update March 23, 2009

The High School Building Committee (HSBC) held a briefing for candidates before its regular meeting on March 19^th. Four Wayland School Committee candidates (Malcolm Astley, Jeff Baron, Steve Glovsky, and Paul Grasso) and three Board of Selectmen candidates (Tom Fay, Susan Pope, and Alan Reiss) attended a review and discussion of the work done over the past seven years and the current status of the Wayland High School project. HSBC Chairman, Lea Anderson, reviewed the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) requirements and the upcoming votes on funds for Feasibility Study/Schematic Design.

At its regular meeting, the HSBC discussed the project meeting with MSBA held on March 18^th. Meeting at MSBA headquarters were Wayland team members (Project Manager, David Saindon of KVA, George Metzger and Steve Millington of HMFH Architects, and Lea Anderson and Eric Sheffels of the HSBC) and MSBA team members (Project Manager for Wayland, John Jumpe, Field Coordinator, Katie DeCristofaro, and Communications Director, Diane Sullivan.) George Metzger presented the 2004 Preliminary Design Report to the MSBA and reviewed the decision making process that weighed three options (mostly renovation, mix of renovation and new construction, and new construction with a renovated field house). The MSBA complimented the scope of the previous study and asked for an updated analysis of several options with more back-up information on the renovation/new construction option.

The MSBA committed to a weekly conference call on the Wayland project to keep the feasibility phase of the project moving. The schedule is very tight and is tied to the May 27^th MSBA Board of Directors meeting.

The HSBC began to look at a single structure approach and the MSBA’s “model school program”. Two high schools have been approved by MSBA as model schools: Ashland High School at 900 students and Whitman-Hanson Regional High School at 1200 students. David Saindon reported that MSBA recommends a model school for districts that have an available site that is not problematic in terms of wetlands, ledge, or environmental contamination. He pointed out that Wayland’s site is very sensitive due to wetlands and well protection buffer zones. The consensus of the HSBC was that the Ashland model school is not applicable because it is of the site sensitivity and also because it does not fit on the site without major phasing. The MSBA has not asked Wayland to pursue this option and the HSBC concurs that Wayland is not a candidate.

The Educational Specification work is proceeding within the limits set by MSBA at 171,000 square feet. This ed spec based on MSBA standards, a design enrollment number of 900, and updated cost estimates will form the basis for the feasibility study option analysis. The HSBC directed its professional team to work on four approaches: a mix of renovation and new construction, new construction with a renovated field house, a single free standing building with renovated field house, and a code upgrade with a minimal classroom addition.

The next meeting of the HSBC is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 7:30 pm in the School Committee conference room on the second floor of the Wayland Town Building. The community is invited to all HSBC meetings. Information is available on the HSBC website at www.waylandschoolcommittee.org/whs/hsbc/index.htm and at the Wayland Public Library.