Winchester Schools Master Plan

For full report click:
Winchester Schools Master Plan (PDF)


Executive Summary

Introduction

Flansburgh Architects was hired in February of 2007 to prepare a Master Plan for the Winchester Public Schools. The purpose of the Master Plan was to explore space needs, options and costs, and to provide a capital improvement plan to meet the program needs for growing enrollments in Winchester. The Master Plan in this report is divided into a short-term plan that addresses the five-year enrollment projections and a long-term plan that solves the space needs for ten years and beyond.

Section 2 of this report contains existing conditions reports for the five Elementary schools, the Middle school, and the High school. This establishes a basis for the condition of each school which is used to recom- mend options and costs in later sections of this report.

Section 3 of this report contains ten-year historical enrollments and ten-year projections of enrollments in the Elementary, Middle, and High schools. This enrollment data is used to project classroom and other space needs in the schools.

Sections 4 and 5 contain the Five-Year and Ten-Year plans for space needs, options, floor plans, schedules, and costs for the entire Winchester school system.

The following is an Executive Summary of the report that highlights the key findings and recommendations of the Master Plan.

Five –Year Plan

A. Elementary Schools:

1. Options: After comparing 7 options to resolve the current and projected overcrowding at the elementary schools, a scheme using modular classrooms appears to be the best short-term solu- tion. This option involves adding 4 modular classrooms at the Ambrose school and 3 at Mu- raco. This option was selected because it is both the least expensive and most flexible given that the enrollment projections for the elementary schools are somewhat uncertain. This allows the number of modular classrooms to be adjusted to fit the need without redistricting in the short term. Although these modulars will handle most of the increased space needs, a few rooms will still need to be converted to classrooms for the short term until the next phase of the master plan is implemented.

2. Schedule: Current enrollment projections are somewhat unclear, but it appears that the 4 modu- lar classrooms at Ambrose and 3 at Muraco will be needed by September 2008. This will require that authorization to commence construction documents should occur no later than December 1, 2007. This will allow bidding in February 2008 and construction to be completed for a Sep- tember 2008 occupancy. Actual enrollments in October 2007 should be checked to determine whether 7 modular classrooms will still be needed. If the enrollment trend is closer to the NES- DEC projections, the number of modulars might be reduced.

3. Estimated Costs: The preliminary estimated total project costs for these 7 portable classrooms including furniture, equipment, technology, and soft costs is approximately $1,943,000 if bid in February 2008.

Winchester Public Schools Master Plan 3

B. Middle School:

1. Options: Short-term options were reviewed for converting existing rooms into classrooms and adding portable classrooms to resolve current and projected overcrowding at McCall Middle School. It was concluded that it makes better sense to build a permanent addition with a net gain of 9 new classrooms because the enrollment projections are clear and the need is based on students already in the system. Also, this option avoids spending money on a temporary solution that would be disruptive to the operation of the school.

2. Schedule: Enrollment projections show a need for 2 new classrooms starting in the Fall of 2007. This need will have to be temporarily resolved by converting 2 rooms into classrooms. After this, there will be a need for 6 new classrooms by the Fall of 2009. This need then increases to 9 new classrooms by 2012. In order to meet this need it is recommended that the permanent addition be ready for occupancy by the Fall of 2009. This will require that the authorization to commence Design Development and Construction Documents should be given by December 1, 2007. This will allow bidding by May 2008 and construction completion for occupancy by September 2009.

3. Estimated Costs: The preliminary estimated total project costs for this addition including furni- ture, equipment, technology, and soft costs is approximately $8,232,000.

C. High School

The High School size and program is adequate to handle the current and projected enrollments for the short term until approximately 2012 (5 years). At that time, enrollment is expected to signifi- cantly increase from approximately 1100 to 1250 students and then up to 1370 by the Fall of 2015. The long-term plan needs to address the High School, which will need additional classrooms and other spaces starting in 2012.