The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors voted to approve Wayland’s feasibility study and preferred schematic design option on July 29. Katherine Craven, MSBA executive director, wrote to Superintendent Gary Burton, "I wanted to share with you the board’s vote to approve Wayland to proceed into schematic design for the replacement of the existing Wayland High School and the renovation of the Field House." Craven also noted, "Since the district and the MSBA have executed a Feasibility Study Agreement, the district may submit requests for reimbursement to the MSBA for costs incurred to date in connection with the feasibility study."
Wayland High School is in the MSBA capital pipeline and will receive 40% reimbursement on the feasibility study and schematic design as well as on the allowed scope of the construction project. There has been a change in the minimum reimbursement rate to 31% for communities not yet in the capital pipeline.
The High School Building Committee’s (HSBC) preferred design incorporates two buildings with a courtyard between them. The new construction is planned in the existing parking lots, with the existing buildings accommodating the educational program throughout construction. The two-building option was selected for a variety of reasons, including flexibility on the site to avoid conservation buffer zones, better daylighting, and better adherence to the Futures Team recommendations.
The High School Building Committee met on July 30 to continue its work on the schematic design. Steve Millington of HMFH Architects presented an updated site plan and floor plan. The HSBC saw elevation drawings for the first time. HMFH and KVA, the project manager, will begin detailed cost estimates in mid-August. The team is working to prepare documents for submission to the MSBA for a Sept. 30 board vote on Wayland’s project scope and budget.
The next meeting of the HSBC is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13 at 6pm 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 at the High School Building Committee website and at the Wayland Library.
— High School Building Committee
