February 11, 2020
By Mickey Friedman
Deja review. Last time, while the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) endorsed the School Committee’s proposal to build a fifty plus million dollar high school, the voters of Great Barrington didn’t. This time MSBA declined to accept the District’s new application for funding.
I imagine some of you haven’t read the April 2019 submission to the MSBA for Monument Mountain Regional High School. I don’t know why MSBA said no. But I think it’s worth sharing some of the proposal. Next time, comments.
The good news: no over-crowding, no recent teacher or staff layoffs, and no necessary modifications in programs, district class sizes, or curriculum. There’s a 20 to 1 student-teacher ratio.
Of MSBA’s 8 areas of concern, the School Committee checked number 5, facility problems like the roof, windows, boilers, HVAC and number 7, replacement or additions to an obsolete building “to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements.”
Their answers: “Is the District seeking replacement of the Roof Section? NO … Is the District seeking replacement of the Windows Section? NO … Is the District seeking replacement of the Boiler? NO.”
The Committee noted “the building is showing its age in many ways including design and failing systems. The impact of the inadequate space hurts opportunities for learning and instruction in almost every area and especially in Science, Career & Vocational Technology Education (CVTE), Technology, and Special Education.”
And argued against extensive repair: “From a sustainability perspective, investing in failing infrastructure doesn’t make much sense. Our roof leaks and our boilers and water systems are inadequate and dated. The windows are single pane and the building alternates between being unbearably cold, students and staff often wear parkas and hats to class, or unseasonably hot … Monument is a model for energy inefficiency …
“One of our largest concerns is the condition of the science labs … Addressing both the emergency wash stations and the gas distribution system does not rectify the need for completely upgraded science labs … We feel the scope of the work that needs to be done in the labs is so extensive that doing them a little at a time would be very inefficient …”
As for PhysEd, “As PE is transitioning into a wellness-based program, we need smaller spaces and workout rooms …[and] there is only the gym itself to teach all of our PE classes in, which results in a curtailed program …
“The band room is used most of the day for large ensembles and band rehearsal. There are no other spaces for individual or smaller groups to practice or rehearse. The high school has most of the equipment necessary for a recording studio yet, no place to set it up … Because the library was carved up to make room for other needed space, there is limited space for study hall students to use the library during school hours …
“Synopsis:
Greenhouse – new classroom and flower arrangement building; new greenhouses and heating system.
Windows – replace with insulated windows.
Overhead doors – replace with newer, more energy efficient models. Ceilings – complete conversions.
White Boards – replace chalk boards with new white boards. Library – redesign current space. (Did not address space needs)
Science labs – the study merely recommended making the labs more accessible. It did not address current educational needs.
Handicap Access – bring building up to ADA compliance, including bathrooms.
Structural – includes modifications of roof drift areas.
HVAC system – replace out-dated system with new computer controlled system …
“The major true capacity issue presently is in the cafeteria … the daily schedule was altered to provide for three lunch periods, so that all of the students could eat in the cafeteria at lunch time. Even with this change, the space is filled to capacity with little additional room …
“Due to the various levels of programming, all classrooms are used consistently throughout the day. Ex-tech classes need to be taught in the library, due to the lack of available ‘free’ classroom space. Shop space has been used for additional art studio space, due to the classroom limitations within that department.
“Major safety renovations/installations needed include an expansion of the current security system, fire suppression system, magnetic door hold-opens tied into a new up-to-date fire alarm system … Though we are very proud of the efforts to maintain these systems over the past 51 years we are clearly working against many other prevailing factors as all of these systems are more than twice their service life …
“Our existing CVTE spaces are inadequate. They are even more inadequate in the context of our CVTE expansion. The three CVTE strands: 1) health care and social assistance, 2) advanced manufacturing, and 3) an emerging strand tied to environmental and agricultural work incorporating our existing Chapter 74 horticulture program …”
Renovation/addition/new construction. What do you think?
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