FAQs
FACILITY
Why do we need a new High School?
Wakefield Memorial High School (“WMHS”) was originally built as a Junior High School in 1960. In 1972, the Junior High was converted into the current WMHS through the construction of major additions to the north and south of the school. Since then, except for some relatively small improvements and modifications made toward meeting the accreditation requirements, the High School has remained virtually untouched.
In 2016 a comprehensive facilities assessment was completed and presented to the Wakefield Permanent Building Committee. The study highlighted numerous physical building challenges, the most significant being related to the buildings envelope and lack of thermal insulation in the exterior walls, poor ventilation and air quality of the mechanical systems, outdated electrical and fire alarm systems, insufficient plumbing and large sections of the building that are not ADA/MAAB compliant.
The facilities assessment also highlighted programmatic constraints that hamper the High School’s ability to provide a learning environment consistent with the District’s Educational Program. There are educational program deficiencies and challenges within the building related to overcrowding, spatial provisions, configurations and adjacencies which limit the rational and functional relationship of programs within the building. Likewise, the absence of some key types of educational and support spaces exacerbates the educational challenges faced.
The District is also faced with an ongoing situation regarding accreditation of the High School. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC”) concurred with the facilities assessment regarding overcrowding and inadequate spaces within of facilities necessary to meet today’s curriculum. The District was put in notice in October 2011 that these conditions must be improved. As of March 2019, the High School has been notified by NEASC that the accreditation status has been changed from “warning” to “probation”.
What about renovating the current WMHS?
The cost to renovate the existing high school is within $10 million of the cost for a new high school. However, renovation does not address the size of teaching spaces or required adjacencies for current and future teaching requirements given the challenges of working with the existing building’s layout.
Where will the new school be located?
The new school will be located on the existing Beasley Oval and a new field and track will be constructed in front of the new school in the location of the existing school.
(Please check back periodically for updated designs as early, prelimenary plans are subject to change as the design process continues)
What does the new school look like? - Option 3B
Renderings and a massing model of the design of the new school is posted to the Project’s website.
Dining-Learning Commons at Level 2
(Please check back periodically for updated designs as early, prelimenary plans are subject to change as the design process continues)
What does the new school include?
The new school will include all academic and academic support spaces required to meet and fulfill the educational plan developed by the District. Floor Plans and a Space Summary of the spaces within the school are posted on the Project’s website. The project also includes full site development and a new Beasley Field and track.
Wakefield Memorial High School Proposed Space Summary
If approved, when will the new high school be completed?
The new school is planned to open in September 2026 in time for the new school year and Summer 2027 completion is planned for the new fields and remainder of the site.
What is the capacity of the new school?
Will the new school accommodate growth in student population?
How did the proposed school design come to be?
The proposed design was the culmination of many educational visioning sessions and resulting design options that were developed and presented by SMMA. The defining goals were to provide a central core, or “heart of the school” from which the academic and auxiliary spaces could be built from. The academic spaces are grouped to one side of the central core with good flow and circulation between spaces and close proximity to teacher planning and support spaces. The media center is also located close to the academic spaces and spanning over the central core engaging with this active space. Athletic programs, theater and music spaces also branch off the central core to the side opposite the academic wing.
WMHS Visioning Kick-Off Meeting
WMHS Visioning Workshop #1 Notes
WMHS Visioning Workshop #1 Recording
WMHS Visioning Workshop #2 Presentation
WMHS Visioning Workshop #2 Notes
WMHS Visioning Workshop #2 Recording
WMHS Visioning Workshop #3 Notes
WMHS Visioning Workshop #3 Recording
WMHS Visioning Workshop #4 Notes
WMHS Visioning Workshop #4 Recording
Why does the plan go above and beyond MSBA recommendations?
The plan exceeds the MSBA guidelines to ensure that the number of classrooms required to maintain the current student-teacher ratio and to meet Wakefield’s educational plan are provided. In addition, all the athletic programs are provided with, at minimum, the same space sizes as currently exist. Additionally, the music program, gymnastics, Color Guard, Governor Volpe Archive, District Offices and WCAT all require space above or outside the MSBA guidelines.
Space Summary for MSBA Space Guidelines
Will the new school be a green/sustainable building?
The new school will exceed the MA Energy Code by 20% and will meet the United States Green Building Council’s LEED certification at minimum. The goal will be to strive for LEED Gold.
Sustainability Features of the New WMHS
What is the maintenance plan for the proposed school?
As part of the Preferred Schematic Report, the District planned in their Budget Analysis for the cost of maintenance and staffing of the new school and will build these costs into the District’s budget. This will allow the Facility’s Maintenance Plan to be maintained as required for the size and scope of the new school.
COST
What is the MSBA?
MSBA is an independent public authority that administers and funds a program for grants to eligible cities, towns, and regional school districts for school construction and renovation projects. The MSBA’s grant program for school building construction and renovation projects is a non-entitlement competitive program. All projects eligible for funding must comply with MSBA’s process and standards. MSBA Mission: Partner with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable, and cost-effective public-school facilities.
Link to MSBA: https://www.massschoolbuildings.org/
What is an ineligible cost?
Ineligible costs are costs that exceed MSBA Space Guidelines, MSBA cost caps and MSBA’s policies. Refer to the Cost Matrix that outlines the ineligible costs for the new high school and the reason for the ineligibility.
How will the new school be funded?
It is anticipated that funding will be by Debt Exclusion which would require a referendum election, after the Town Meeting vote, where the registered voters would be asked to exempt the amount of the Town’s borrowing from the limits of Proposition 2 and ½.
Description of the Local Process for Authorization and Funding
What is a Proposition 2 ½ Debt Exclusion?
Proposition 2 ½ refers to a Massachusetts General Law enacted in 1980 that places strict limits on the amount of property tax revenue a community can raise through real and personal property taxes. A debt exclusion is for the purpose of raising funds for debt service costs and is referred to as a debt exclusion. Debt exclusions require voter approval. The additional amount for the payment of debt service is added to the tax levy limit or levy ceiling for the life of the debt only.
What is the average increase in property tax?
Equal/Declining Debt Service: High – $2.00/$1,000 of Assessed Residential Property Value
Low – $0.84/$1,000 of Assessed Residential Property Value
Level Debt Service: $1.56/$1,000 of Assessed Residential Property Value (Anticipated option)
Link to M.G.L. Proposition 2-1/2 and Tax Rate Process: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/proposition-2-12-and-tax-rate-process
Please use the Tax Impact Caculator below.
What about Seniors and folks on fixed incomes?
The Town has a program for Seniors that provides opportunities for tax discounts.
Link for Seniors: Wakefield Senior Discount Program
What other debt exclusions is the town currently carrying and when do they expire?
The Preferred Schematic Report provides a list of the Town’s current Debt Service and indicates the expiration dates.
NEXT STEPS
What is Schematic Design?
Schematic Design is the process of developing the preferred concept for the building and site and to identify and establish the full scope of work and schedule for the project to the degree that costs for construction and total project costs can be confidently established for the duration of the project.
What is required by the town to fund the project?
When will construction begin?
It is anticipated that construction will begin in early 2024 with some enabling work starting in the Fall of 2023.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Who are the parties involved in the High School Project?
Wakefield Permanent Building Committee/Wakefield School Building Committee (PBC/SBC”)
The Wakefield Permanent Building Committee (“PBC”) oversees all projects for design, construction, reconstruction, renovation, alteration, or enlargement of any building owned by the Town, or undertaken on land owned or leased by the Town of Wakefield.
The PBC has the sole authority to procure engineering and architectural services, award bids for construction, enter into contracts on behalf of the Town with respect to matters within its authority, and administer such contracts in accordance with applicable law.
The Wakefield High School Building Committee (“SBC”) is made up of the Wakefield Permanent Building Committee together with the Wakefield High School Advisory Committee which consists of Town and School employees/officials and members of the Community for the purpose of generally monitoring the MSBA Application process and to advise the Town of Wakefield during the construction of the Project.
Massachusetts School Building Committee (“MSBA”)
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient schools across Massachusetts.
The MSBA’s grant program for school building construction and renovation projects is a non-entitlement competitive program. The MSBA’s Board of Directors approves grants based on need and urgency as expressed by the City, Town, Regional School District or independent agricultural and technical school and validated by the MSBA.
LeftField – Owners Project Manager (“OPM”)
LeftField is an Owner’s Representative and Project Management firm, established in 2007. We specialize in owners project management services and have significant experience in the public sector, working with municipalities and building authorities. Leftfield’s staff has managed over $1.5 billion in MSBA-funded projects since MSBA’s inception in 2004. As Owners Project Managers, we work in conjunction with the Owner serving as an extension of their staff. Our primary role is to protect the Owner’s interests, to ensure that the Owner is well-served and that the established goals and objectives are met in the most efficient manner, physically and fiscally.
Designer – TBD
The Design Firm will be selected through the MSBA Designer Selection Panel. The appointment is expected to be made by early September 2021.
What is the Wakefield Memorial High School Project?
In April, 2019, the Town of Wakefield submitted a Statement of Interest to the MSBA for Wakefield Memorial High School. The Statement of Interest was the first step in partnering with the MSBA for a potential new Wakefield Memorial High School. In December 2019 the MSBA invited the Town to enter into the Eligibility Period which required the Town to provide certain documentation necessary meet the MSBA requirements to proceed into the MSBA Core Program and conduct a Feasibility Study. Having fulfilled the requirements, in December 2020 the MSBA Board formally issued an invitation to the Town to conduct a feasibility study.
During the Feasibility Study, the Town and its team will collaborate with the MSBA to document existing conditions, generate an initial space summary based on the School Department’s educational program, establish design parameters, develop and evaluate preliminary and final design alternatives, and recommend the most cost effective and educationally appropriate solution for a new High School.
The Feasibility Study is a requirement under of the MSBA’s multi-step approval process in order to qualify for state funded reimbursement for a potential future building project.
What is the MSBA process?
The MSBA has developed eight distinct modules that are intended to provide a guide to the procedures and approvals needed for the MSBA and the District to work together in a collaborative manner.
The “Program Overview” and listing of eight modules can be viewed here:
https://www.massschoolbuildings.org/building/modules_overview
Where can I get more information?
Visit the project website at www.wakefieldMHSproject.com
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
Email the project team at info@wakefieldmhsproject.com