Norwood Fin Com Unanimously Approves Coakley Middle School Plan

NORWOOD - The Finance Commission unanimously approved the proposal for the new Coakley Middle School building at its meeting Thursday night, citing the conditions of the current structure, community benefits, and increased classroom space as key factors.

This favorable recommendation will be presented to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or MSBA, on March 2 and is expected to be approved. At the March 14 Special Town meeting, Town Meeting members will need to approve it by a two-thirds vote to enter into a 30-year debt service agreement to fund the project with the MSBA as a financial partner. The final step for it to move forward will be voter approval at the April 4 election.

Alan Slater, a Finance Commission member and chair of the Middle School Building Committee, explained that the proposed new building would house grades five through eight. It would not only provide a state-of-the-art facility for the students but also help alleviate the current overcrowded conditions at the district's elementary schools.

Justin Thibeault, a principal at educational building design firm Ai3 Architects in Wayland, led a presentation about the project. The need for a new building was discovered during the development a district-wide school building master plan process between 2016 and 2017. The MSBA accepted the Coakley as one of 12 approved applicants out of a pool of 72 to move forward in the process.

"The MSBA identified the Coakley as a building in need throughout the commonwealth," he said.

Construction would begin in 2023 and be completed in two years, at which time the old building would be demolished. Additional site work and the new synthetic field will be finished in 2026.

"One thing to note about the educational program that was developed for this project is that the MSBA actually praised it as one of the best they've ever seen," he added. "That just goes to show you the dedication of the staff and everybody who put this together."

The new building will be 187,840 square feet, roughly 1 1/2 times the size of the current Coakley. There will be four floors, with one devoted to each grade. It will accommodate 1,070 students. Also included are a 600-seat auditorium, a gym, a black box theater, upper and lower school dining facilities, and spaces dedicated to STEM and STEAM as well as for teacher and student collaboration. There will be separate routes for bus and parent dropoff.

It will also be net energy ready. In order for it to be net zero, a $5.7 million photovoltaic system will be considered. It would be expected to pay for itself within 18 years.

The community will be able to use the auditorium and the new synthetic turf field with lighting.

The Middle School Building Committee unanimously voted for the school to be built on the current Coakley site, basically flipping the athletic fields and the school building. The School Committee also voted unanimously in favor of the plan and the grade configuration.

During construction, the athletic fields and the tennis court will still be able to be used.

Slater noted that the the total project cost is expected to be $150 million, with the MSBA picking up $46 million of the tab with a grant. The rest would be funded through a 30-year bond.

The average taxpayer cost will be approximately $386 a year with a home with an assessed value of $550,000. This is actually less of a tax impact than the new schools approved for Walpole and Westwood last fall. Walpole residents will pay an average of $423, while Westwood homeowners will pay $482.

If Town Meeting doesn't approve the project, the process would have to be started all over again. The MSBA will not fund a second feasibility study. Construction costs are expected to escalate, and there is no guarantee of MSBA approval.

There will be a series of building tours beginning on March 5 so that residents can view the current conditions. They will be listed on the project website.

"Once they get in there and look at the dificiencies, I think it will be pretty striking to them and will answer a number of their questions," he said.

Bob Donnelly, a Fin Com member running for the Board of Selectmen, asked about the proposed building's 50-year lifespan and the maintenance requirements for the photovoltaic system. By using durable materials, the building is expected to last for five decades. The photovoltic contract, if included, would have maintenance costs included.

Superintendent David Thomson added the community benefits of an auditorium, a new lit field, and a blackbox theater.

"When I look at this current project, there are other savings that, if we didn't do this, we would have to spend money elsewhere," said Fin Com member Judy Langone. Portable classrooms would have to be tacked onto the elementary schools for $16 million, and the middle school repairs would cost $70 just for base repairs.

"From a financial view - never mind bringing up the building to educational standards the way we need to teach the kids today - it's a no brainer."