Top three options for high school revealed at forum

Date: 9/21/2009

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



LONGMEADOW Longmeadow High School is in rough shape - those who attend the school, work there or have been through it recently know this. The question the School Building Committee (SBC) had to ask was whether to renovate, build new or keep the building as is.

At a large public forum last Wednesday evening, the committee took more input from residents on what they'd like to see in the town's only high school following a presentation from the Owner's Project Manager (OPM). A total of seven options were outlined, and the OPM recommended the top three options.

Jeanne Roberts, an architect with the Office of Michael Rosenfeld, listed a full renovation of the current building (option 1B in the presentation), a renovation/demolition/addition that would create a new classroom wing and eliminate two courtyards (option 2A.1) and a renovation/demolition/addition that would retain the 1971 portion of the existing building with a new addition for classroom and primary core spaces (option 2B) as the best options.

"We were pleased with the breadth and depth of the options," Christine Swanson, chair of the School Committee and co-chair of the SBC, told Reminder Publications. "Our commitment was not just to focus on a new building but varying degrees of renovation that would be feasible."

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the driving financial force behind this state-funded project, would only reimburse the town for a new school of 185,000 square feet or smaller, which Swanson said would not fit the school's curriculum needs.

"We don't want to cut programs [like art or music] because of a lack of space," she stated.

If the town were to go with a model school project, using the plans from an existing school, it could be as large as 218,000 square feet, but it would have to be located across Bliss Road from where the high school currently sits.

"Option 2B is the best of both worlds," Swanson said. "We'd have new construction and keep the best of the old." She added that 2B rises to the top right now as the best option, but before a decision is made, the costs for the top three options must be sorted out.

Resident Diane Nadeau asked at the forum what the most expensive options would be. Jeffery Luxenberg, with OPM Josslin, Lesser and Associates Inc., noted 1B as a higher cost option because of the length of time it would take to finish the renovation approximately five years. Other options ranged from 2.5 to four years. Luxenberg noted that more specific costs would be outlined at the SBC's next meeting.

Kevin Shea wanted to know how teaching and learning would be impacted by the various building options.

Superintendent E. Jahn Hart explained that larger classrooms would help the way teachers and students collaborate, and new or renovated spaces for teachers to collaborate would aid in connecting the various aspects of the curriculum. New classrooms would allow space for students to work in groups, and new common areas - like the gym, the auditorium and the cafeteria - would ensure adequate space for the school population and for community events.

Jerry Nolet, a former member of the Select Board, reminded those in attendance that the project needs to be looked at "on a needs basis, not as a wish list."

Close to 150 residents came out for this forum.

The SBC's next meeting, where costs for the top three options will be discussed, will take place on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. in the high school (exact location yet to be determined).

For more information on the project and seven options outlined, visit ,a href="http://www.longmeadow.org/sbc"target="_blank">www.longmeadow.org/sbc.