REPORT OF THE
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
April 28, 2005
The
High School Building Committee (HSBC) is pleased to give an update to the Town
of Wayland at the Annual Town Meeting on April 28, 2005.
This
update is a summary of the work of the HSBC since the Special Election on
January 25 and Special Town Meeting on January 27, 2005. The work leading up to the January Special
Election is summarized in the Report of the HSBC published in the January
warrant. It and the more extensive
Preliminary Design Report are both available on the School Committee web site
(www.waylandschoolcommittee.org) and at the Wayland Public Library.
At
the Special Election, the Town’s voters rejected a Proposition 2 1/2 debt
exclusion for $4.2 million in design funds for a new high school with renovated
field house. Since that vote, the HSBC
has met twice to discuss the failed vote and possible ways to move
forward. We listened to many points of view
about the reasons for the outcome. Some
think that the uncertainty of state aid was the critical factor. Others think that the project scope was too
big.
The
HSBC plans to proceed in two areas of research. The first is to conduct a written survey of voters to assist the
HSBC and School Committee in deciding how best to move ahead. The second is to analyze the draft
regulations of the MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) when they are
available in early 2006.
Many
townspeople have offered suggestions on the survey and on other ways to engage
the public in finding consensus on the high school project. Based on the results of this initial survey,
planned for this spring, we will follow-up in the fall with efforts in the
areas that emerge as most important to voters.
These efforts can include telephone surveys, focus groups, public
hearings, or informal coffees or gatherings.
The
HSBC is committed to build on the consensus that exists in Town, that something
needs to be done at the high school.
Defining a project that has wide support is our goal.
Respectfully
submitted,
Lea
T. Anderson, HSBC Chairman
High
School Building Committee Members
Lea
Anderson 508-358-2667 leaanders@comcast.net
Josh
Bekenstein 508-358-5651 jbekenstein@baincapital.com
Dianne
Bladon 508-358-0068 dehbladon@aol.com
Steve
Breit 508-358-7966 sbreit@comcast.net
Brian
Chase 508-788-1081 abchase@comcast.net
Jim
Howard 508-358-2619 howard.james@comcast.net
Mary
Lentz 617-542-4141 mlentz@mccallalmy.com
Joe
Lewin 508-653-9952 joelewin@comcast.net
Cindy
Lombardo 508-358-5958 sweetlifer@aol.com
Eric
Sheffels 508-358-5461 esheffels@aol.com
Steve
Tise 508-358-0047 setarch@comcast.net