WHS Principal Tom Gwin Reports on Feasibility Study January 2012 January 2012

WINCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL 80 Skillings Road Winchester, MA 01890 – 2853 

PARENT FACULTY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER ~ JANUARY 2012 Visit our website at www.whspfa.org

On January 10, the Designer Selection Panel of the Massachusetts State Building Authority (MSBA) will choose the architectural firm that will conduct a Feasibility Study that includes the development and evaluation of alternative WHS building designs and continues through the schematic design phase of the chosen project. Architectural firms have submitted proposals and the town can submit its preferred choices of firms, but the MSBA makes the final selection. The preferred building design identified through the Feasibility Plan process must be approved by the MSBA and the town must commit to funding 65% of the project through a debt exclusion override vote. The state will pay for the other 35% of the project. The estimated construction budget for the project is estimated to range from $60 to $90 million dollars and could include a phased renovation of the current building, a renovation of and addition to the current building, or a new building. If all goes according to plan, the selected firm will have developed alternative building designs by April, evaluated the alternatives by June, and identified a preferred building design sometime in early summer. Once the final design is selected, the completion of a final schematic design should be done by November. At this point, the cost of the project would be known and the debt exclusion override would need to take place.

At the December Town Meeting of the junior class, I described the Feasibility Plan process and asked students what features they would like to see in a new building/renovation. Here are some of their responses:

• An efficient HVAC system that keeps all rooms at the same, comfortable temperature. 

• A swimming pool. 

• Storage space for the props, costumes, and stage designs used by Curtain and Cue (the theater program) and the Music Department. 

• More specialized rooms for the art department. For example, a room specifically for sculpture. 

• Expanded fitness area/weight room space so students not on athletic teams have a chance to work out.

• A room designed for dance, yoga, or other wellness programs. 

• An ice rink. 

• A student lounge attached to the library. 

• An area with lounge chairs where students could take naps (really). 

• A Starbucks-like coffee shop where students could get specialty coffees.

• A larger nurse’s office with more private spaces. 

• A larger library with more computers/laptops and increased access to electronic sources of information. 

• An emphasis on art, music, and theater not just athletics.

There were many more ideas that will be shared with the selected firm. During the Feasibility Process this spring there will be ample opportunities for public input. I will keep you posted on this process through the end of the school year

FROM THE CO-PRESIDENTS

Carol Cashion and Jody Collins Skinner

January 4, 2012 PFA Meeting

New Topic: Technology Town Meeting

• • • • •

As we plan for the building, decisions need to be made on how students and teachers will access and use technology for effective, innovative teaching and learning Bring your ideas and questions for the One-to-One Committee (on an iPad/tablet device proposal) now being organized by Dr. Gwin

Read more details on technology in Focus on the Future on the Edline WHS home page, under “News” Read more about One-to-One Committee and iPad/tablet proposal here 

http://whspfa.org/clientimages/39852/dec2011/From_the_Principal.pdf

Parent input on this important decision is needed!

PFA NEWS

Happy January! We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday break and are ready to dig into the new year as we look forward to some interesting topics regarding the future of Winchester High School. Please mark your calendar now and be sure to join us on January 4, 2012 at 7:30 pm for a Town Meeting style, open discussion of technology in 21st century education at WHS.

a change from “Where We Are on Building Plans for WHS.” The School Department and are currently working with the Mass. School Building Authority on preliminary steps for the

(This is EFPBC Feasibility Study, which will examine building needs and options.) Look for the e-blasts giving you all the details so you can come prepared to have an active discussion. Hope to see you on Wednesday, January 4th.