Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Mass School Building Authority: April 2020

The agenda is over here


Invitation to feasibility (from 2018 year):
Brookline: John R. Pierce School
Haverhill: Dr. Albert B. Consentino School
Revere: Revere High School
Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District: David Prouty High School
Webster: Bartlett High School
pass unanimously

Fitchburg is requesting that Crocker Elementary School go back to Feasibility to reconsidering some classifications. Passes

Accelerated repair projects: 
 Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District: Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School for a partial roof
 Kingston: Kingston Elementary School for a Partial Boiler
 Lowell: Dr. Gertrude Bailey Elementary School for a Partial Roof, Boiler
              James F. Sullivan Middle School Roof; Boiler
 Northbridge: Northbridge Middle School for a Boiler
Salem: Bentley Academy for a Boiler
 Westport: Westport Elementary School for a Roof


Preferred Schematic Design:
Boston: Josiah Quincy Upper School
Worcester: Doherty Memorial High School

on Josiah Quincy: a single member Terry Kwan (former teacher and Brookline School Committee member) says she is going to vote no on the Josiah Quincy project, saying the space is too small for the project, building cannot be expanded, enrollment couldn't be expanded, gym is too small
process "that I believe to be deeply flawed": continues to be reliant on a process that is not in best interest of students; decision "concentrated within this very small circle of participants"; parents, teachers and administrators, "even the superintendent of schools and the city council" were left until late and was informing them
and goes back through process on Boston Arts Academy and others
hopes that "future projects of the Boston Public Schools will be held in a more open and inclusive manner" even if this succeeds
Boston Chief of Operations Patrick Brophy: we do feel this is an important part of the Chinatown community
"have received a lot of support for the schools"
"hoping to do a design charrette"
"very expensive site, very expensive project to build"
sometimes kids move three four five times in Boston schools; great thing "kids see a through path to the end" due to more continuity
"will be out to have a very robust conversation" as soon as it is safe to do so
Greg Sullivan (another member) appreciate comments of Kwan, appreciate work of Boston mayor, will vote in favor
Goldberg: had conversation with Mayor even before taking office about more than Boston could do
Brophy: concern of city with fighting COVID, meeting needs of children
Project passes, one no vote

On to Doherty:
Petty: "very important project for the city of Worcester"
Goldberg: remembers visiting Doherty and seeing kids with coats and mittens because there was no heat
and vote carries!

Invitation to Project Scope and Budget
Leicester: Leicester Middle School
Orange: Dexter Park School

Leicester: after Rep. David LeBoeuf speaks to it, voted in unanimously

Orange: carries!

The approval of final audits, incidentally, included the following in accelerated repairs:

Flagg Street for Windows/Doors
Francis J McGrath Elementary for Windows/Doors
Grafton Street for Windows/Doors, Boiler
Jacob Hiatt Magnet for Windows/Doors

Note from Jack McCarthy that decisions that result in greater expenses due to COVID fall on the districts, as once the scope and budget is approved, that's it
track, as there may be federal funds for reimbursement

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