FAQS

The Longmeadow SBC has developed some
Frequently Asked Questions on the following subjects.

EDUCATIONAL VISIONING/ PROGRAMMING

BUILDING STUDY AND OPTIONS

COSTS AND FINANCING

[Click FAQ title to view each set of questions or PDF icon to view/ print documents.]

Q: What is Educational Visioning?
A: A process which brings together a large cross-section of stakeholders, residents, and educators to develop learning concepts, goals and values which result in a comprehensive, long-term planning tool for the school district. In sum, educational visioning is the cornerstone of all educational planning, and it defines the nature of school and community relations for decades to come.

Q: Who facilitates and analyzes the information gathered at the visioning?
A: Our facilitator was Frank Locker, PhD, AIA, REFP. Dr. Locker was honored as Planner of the Year by the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International for his comprehensive planning approach, consensus building process, and state of-the-art school design. A former educator, trained facilitator, and registered architect, Frank bases his approach on research in effective learning. For more information on Mr. Locker, please visit his website (http://www.franklocker.com/index.html)

An executive summary, as well as the full report will be posted to the SBC website.

Q: How does the visioning tie into the building project?
A: Educational Visioning is a catalyst for the design of the final solution for Longmeadow High School. It enables the architects to measure their building concepts against the current educational standards and the goals and values articulated in the visioning sessions.

The Educational Visioning process included an evaluation of the high school's educational delivery and facilities today and a projection of the future for both. The Educational Visioning report contains the result of that evaluation. Some examples of barriers to effective educational delivery in the current LHS facility include the lack of flexible learning spaces for educational projects that require team work, inadequate science labs, the absence of teacher centers for collaboration, a lack of support for applied learning and student presentations, and a sprawling building that deters interdisciplinary or community service learning.

The Owners Project Manager (OPM) and architects will create a matrix (which will be posted on the website) that will identify all of the possible design options evaluated against the educational specifications determined by the visioning process.

It is the intent of the School Building Committee to develop a long term facility solution for the teaching and learning standards of the 21st century. This includes a building solution that has flexibility to adapt to changes in teaching and learning over the next half century.

BUILDING STUDY AND OPTIONS

Q: What determines addition/ renovation vs. new?
A: A number of factors, taken together, will determine whether the School Building Committee (SBC) selects an addition/ renovation or a completely new school as the long term building solution:

Q: Will the community have an opportunity to review and provide input on the options/alternatives or just the SBC?
A: Yes! The purpose of the public forums was to present the options to the residents and solicit feedback. Community input is essential in order for the SBC to make informed decisions! The forums were designed for residents to speak up and ask questions. We will listen to your ideas and find the best and most cost-effective, long-term solution that meets the teaching and learning goals of Longmeadow. If you were unable to attend a forum, the slides/options have been posted to the SBC website: www.longmeadow.org/sbc. The School Building Committee will be voting on the final recommendation on September 30, 2009. If you have comments, please email them to longmeadowsbc@yahoo.com.

Q: Will the town be able to vote before a decision is made?
A: No, the town does not make the decision on new vs. renovation nor is the town able to vote on multiple options. There is only one vote -- by the School Building Committee (SBC). This is set by statute and is incorporated into the MSBA regulations. The MSBA has strict guidelines (http://www.massschoolbuildings.org/about_ektid54.aspx) regarding this process and it is a highly regulated partnership with municipalities. Please have confidence that SBC will incorporate your comments into the options. The options and presentation slides are available on the SBC website (www.longmeadow.org/sbc) .

Q: Who determines the solution?
A: The SBC is charged with determining two (2) options to present to the MSBA, and the MSBA then makes the final decision.

Q: Will there be traffic or land changes in the final solution?
A: Possibly, depending on the option chosen. Some concerns to be studied include: the crossing of Bliss Road, innovative solutions with courtyards, reducing the length of travel within the school and providing more usable field space.

Q: Are we still considering a Model School solution?
A: Yes, if new construction is determined to be the best long term solution, then we will be weighing the benefits and costs of both a new building and a model school. There are currently three (3) MSBA "Model Schools": Hudson, Ashland and Whitman-Hanson. We are reviewing the flexibility of the plans and are comparing them against our educational programming needs.

Q: What is the difference between the Kaestle Boos Facility Study and the current on-going Feasibility Study?
A: The KBA facilities study was designed as a high-level review of the existing conditions of the high school. This study served as the basis for the information provided on the Statements of Interest submitted to the MSBA in July of 2007. The MSBA reviewed the KBA study and determined it was lacking in several key areas needed to determine building needs including: forensic, structural, mechanical, geotechnical, and educational visioning, to just name a few.

Q: If a renovation option if chosen, where will students go?
A: If a renovation is chosen, it will be "phased" in order for students to remain in as many classrooms as possible during the construction. Modular classrooms will most likely be used to house displaced students. Both of these issues cost additional money, take significantly more time and the additional costs for swing space are not reimbursable from the MSBA. Therefore, these additional costs will be taken into the consideration as part of the costs of renovation.

Q: What are the potential site(s)/location(s) for a new building?
A: The most likely site is in and around the current location. Any site being considered must be "shovel ready", meaning the location must be free of any conservation, environmental, zoning, etc. issues. Other site considerations would require a significant amount of work to get ready and may be subject to the above considerations.

Q: What constitutes a renovation?
A: Renovations can range from large repair projects to complete gut, demolition and addition options.

COSTS AND FINANCING

Q: How much will this project cost?
A: The overall costs will depend on the option chosen. Both immediate building costs and long-term maintenance/utility costs will be taken into consideration as part of the project costs. Estimated costs will be determined as the project options are further defined and a preferred solution is determined.

More clearly defined costs will be developed through the schematic design portion of the feasibility study. These costs will then be shared with the MSBA to be used as a basis for the project funding agreement between the state and the town.

Q: What percentage of the costs will be covered by the MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority)?
A: The estimated, preliminary base rate for Longmeadow is 48.64% . Additional reimbursement points are awarded based on the MSBA criteria and are subject to change. Some examples of incentives are

Q: Given the economy, why don't we wait until things improve before entering into this project?
A: We recognize that the economy is sluggish; however, the sluggish economy actually makes this is an ideal time to move forward with the project -- interest rates on bonds are low and construction costs are at an all-time low. We will get "more for our money" in this down market.

Q: While it may seem ideal due to a sluggish economy, what is the harm in waiting a few years?
A: Based on the Statement of Interest (SOI) submitted in 2007, Longmeadow High School was deemed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) as a school in need of immediate attention. The MSBA has committed millions of dollars to Longmeadow to assist in the corrective action determined through the feasibility study process.

However, this money comes with strict guidelines. Once the MSBA has approved the project funding scope (scheduled for March 2010), Longmeadow has ONLY 120 days from that date to pass the debt exclusion at Town Meeting in April and at the polls in June. If the town votes the motion DOWN, we will NOT have a second chance and the MSBA will move on to one of the 400 other towns in need of assistance. Longmeadow will be placed in the back of line and have to start the process all over again. At that point, there is no guarantee that we will receive funding from the state.

In addition, the town will continue to pump money into maintaining and operating the high school. Historically, Longmeadow residents have passed debt exclusion overrides for the schools.

Q: What costs/expenses are categorically ineligible for reimbursement or payment by the MSBA?
A: The following is a partial list of items the MSBA does not provide payment or reimbursement and is subject to change: