This evening, the
Appropriations Committee of the Melrose Board of Aldermen took up an order to “Bond
in the amount of $400,000 for Design and Management Services for Modular
Classrooms at the Winthrop and Hoover Schools and Renovations to the Horace
Mann School.” Notes as follows (and edits and errors all mine):
Mayor Dolan: This was a lengthy and inclusive process. There is an immediate need
for more classrooms. City and school project collaboration has already resulted
in more classrooms, etc. but we still need more. There was a demographic study
last year verifying this. A well-attended community meeting was held and the
community spoke clearly regarding their interests. The plan has been reviewed and
approved by the Permanent School Building Committee (PSBC). The School Committee
has done a full review and unanimously recommended this plan. We have
re-confirmed approval of the educational model as it stands (grades K-5, 6-8,
and 9-12). This request is for money for the architectural team to proceed with
drawing up the plans. This PSBC has worked together for a long time and has partnered
with school staff. It’s the best proposal for education, and provides
additional improvements equity and ADA compliance.
Architect Charlie Hay of Tappe Associates: Hoover, Winthrop, and Horace Mann have been
identified as sites for modulars. Hoover rear, at the site of the Community
Garden, is the ideal location for the classrooms. With modular construction,
classrooms could be provided in time for installation by next fall. This plan
allows for three classrooms to be added, with fully accessible classrooms
including bathrooms, etc. Would need to relocate garden, which would be sited
along the fence line and would provide improved accessibility compared with its
current location. At Winthrop, the decision was made to employ two additional
classrooms at the existing green space since the only spot that’s level with
the first floor. That means some displacement of green space but also calls for
some asphalt space to be changed to green space for students. Classrooms would
make for a four-K strand at the front. As the student cohort advances up the
grade ladder, there may be some changes to the grades housed in those
classrooms. At Horace Mann, after much discussion, it became evident that the
site doesn’t have the capacity to employ an addition because of the parking and
recreation space configurations. There are significant accessibility issues at
HM (there are stairs at each viable entry). The best approach is not to
increase capacity, but it was determined that if the interior were
reconfigured, there could be permanent library and art/music space which would allow
for improved equity around those spaces. A new entrance would be created that
would be safer than the current entrance.
Mayor Dolan: It’s important to note that we have to do something. There are no
rooms that we can use. The idea of moving the 8th grade to the high
school, displacing administration, and other changes, rivals the cost and
educational shake-up of this model, and was clearly not the wish of the
community.
Ald. Zwirko: This takes what we have and
improves it. The plan is well thought out. Approves of plan as proposed.
President Conn: Any financial analysis re:
the proposals? Ran rough estimates of the nine proposals evaluated and
they are available. It was almost as expensive to reclaim office space, etc. as
it was for modulars. 8th grade academy model was $1.5M for
accommodation but that didn’t include a new home for administration (maybe
$2M). Cost is about $1.7M for renovations + lost revenue + new administrative
staff (and other operational expenses). What
was the process for selecting architect? There was a publicized RFP and
then proposals were collected. Two firms submitted bids and Tappe was the most
qualified firm. What do we anticipate
the cost of the project to be? If today, $4.4M is a good figure. The
issue that’s different from other projects is the modular market because there
is a run on modulars around the country. We can’t predict that so that’s the
concern financially and time-wise. The intention is to get bids and come back
to the Board for the financial balance of the project. Are they viable for the long term? This is an actual
building that’s attached to the school – a true structure. Modular companies
would say this is a 20-year building (compared with a 50-year building that’s
traditional). Modulars are very simple – flat roof with simple siding, dry
walls, acoustical ceiling tiles, good windows, etc. and will feel to a student like
a conventional classroom. The only real difference is that the outside will be
less handsome than a new brick building. There will be community meetings, etc.
to talk to parents and community members about the project. What % of project would the renovation of HM would be? A little
over a third. It would be treated as a separate project from the modulars. What are terms of the bond, etc.? 20- year
note. 5% interest. 30-year model for debt for general fund. 2/3 of city’s debt
service will be paid off in ten years. We won’t exceed 4% of limit any year so
we have capacity for future projects in future years. What is the timeline? Want project out to bid by end of year
or early January. Modulars fabricated in factory, while in spring there will be
site work. At HM, the time available is a challenge because the hope is to
finish it in the summer months. Whether all construction can be completed in
ten weeks is unknown and would be a challenge.
Ald. Lemmerman: I'm a member of the PSBC and heard a lot
of public input. In other communities people say they fight to be in the
modulars because they’re so beautiful. Elaborate on how planning was not for too much, but allowing
flexibility for the future. Came to the conclusion that being
conservative was the best approach: building a little less than originally
planned. In demographic studies, MSBA underpredicts and NESDEC overpredicts, so
they went with the conservative side. In 2021-22, prediction is for 88
classrooms but during the timeframe of the study, we never fall below 84
classrooms. With this plan, there may be a couple years where there is
art-on-a-cart in a couple schools but that shouldn’t last. Our problem is
equity, not just capacity. Libraries are different in the elementary schools as
are art rooms, etc. Rooms have been divided in some schools to meet educational
needs. (When many of our buildings were built, the programs we’re now required
to offer did not exist. With special education, intervention, ESL, and the
student-centered model, we need new configurations.) While we can’t replicate
Lincoln and Roosevelt, we want students to have the best possible spaces at the
other schools. Talk about the impact
on the school of change in the K corner of HM. There are multiple
impacts: 1. Moving library to classroom, putting it into a central site, close
to where people come in. 2. Address some of the ADA regulations with respect to
accessibility. (Except for the all-purpose room, all entrances have stairs that
can’t be open to the public because of voting, lunch, etc.) 3. Security: all
glass, increased camera visuals at Hoover now, whereas at HM someone can be
well into building before there are necessarily eyes on that person; 4. In the past,
library was a classroom that is equal or bigger than some other classrooms in
the building so now that it’s a K room, it will be consistent with other rooms.
Ald. Boisselle: What’s the difference between modular
units and modular construction? Proposal is purpose-built units
specifically for a foundation constructed on a site that is connected to a main
building. 90% complete when they arrive and they are in two pieces per
classroom, each piece being narrow enough to travel on a roadway for delivery. After 15 years there could be higher
serviceability, does that burden DPW? There will be traditional square
footage to current rooms. Many will connect and also connect to current services.
Custodial service may increase slightly resulting in higher costs but there are
no plans to hire additional staff. Does
city have to go before city Planning Board for this project? No. Is there a phase-out plan after 20 years?
They may last more than 20 years. There is now no phase-out plan in 20 years.
This community must start having a preliminary conversation about a bigger Winthrop
School. Winthrop is coming to the end of its useful life – it’s not there yet
but it’s coming. Winthrop has a community
garden. This project doesn’t impact that.
Ald. Forbes: Often, modular building is better than
other kinds of external construction. Modulars at Hoover – are they individual
or separate? Six sections resulting in three classrooms. Hoover & Winthrop there will be some
brick and mortar construction? Yes, but the modular contractor will be
responsible for that (flashing, etc.). Doesn’t
have concern about the project and thinks it will be good investment for the
community.
Ald. Medeiros: Are there any grant opportunities?
No, not a Mass. School Building Authority project since it’s not a major
building project. Not aware of any disability grant programs. Expectations around population growth:
still need six-eight classrooms? By reconfiguring how we use space,
that’s how they’ve come to the recommendation. Have already taken two
classrooms at Lincoln and Roosevelt and others at other schools. At Hoover, the
room that was built out two years ago might need to be configured back depending
on enrollments; flexibility to manage capacity is important. Number of classrooms today? 82.
For many years, had a 12-strand grade, then creeping to 13-strand grade, now a
15-strand K (this and last year). In
today’s dollars, what would it cost to remove the modular (asking to have for
next meeting)? If we were to
bond for full project, what would it cost? Using $4M for round number
(with warning that the purpose of the $400K request is to complete
fact-finding), only one year does it touch 4% of bond limit. Will the modulars have warranties?
They’ll likely last longer than 20 years. Usually get a year and sometimes five
for warranties. Will these meet the
green building code? They have to meet the stretch limit. Will staff parking at Hoover be
negatively affected? No, and green space will actually be improved.
Ald. Infurna: It’s the best of the best plans. Did have
concerns about ADA compliance but they were addressed tonight. Please look into
ADA grants. If needed another modular classroom, could it be added later?
Yes, there is room. With flat roofs,
are there snow concerns? They are built to withstand snow like any
other construction.
Ald. McAteer-Margolis: Bonding – would we roll this bond and the
future bond together? Yes. Additional
$4.4M would keep us below capacity? Yes. Class size –will this project help in that area? Depends on
enrollments. That’s why we have intra-district school choice rather than
neighborhood schools. Pleased with ADA
compliance. Will the systems be self-contained but tied into the building? Plumbing
and electrical will probably tie back to school building services now in place.
Until systems are completely explored, they won’t know all details about what
services will be required.
Recommended for passage to
the full Board of Aldermen.
