South Middle School Enters Early Renovation Phase

BRAINTREE, MA — The process to renovate and construct an addition for South Middle School has begun, but it’s still very early in the process, school officials said.

During Monday’s School Committee meeting, Superintendent Frank Hackett said that the district recently submitted a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Buildings Authority and was notified last week that they have made the first screening round.

“That doesn't mean anything more than what I just said. We’re a long way from a conversation ,” Hackett said.

Like the current East Middle School project, the school district hopes to renovate South Middle School and build an addition for fifth-grade students. The plan is part of a strategy to address space needs free up classroom space at the elementary school level.
Mayor Joseph Sullivan said he hopes to hear an update from the MSBA on South Middle School by the end of the year.

“In terms of South, I think we were able to put together a nice presentation for the MBSA officials and demonstrate a serious and comprehensive approach district-wide. I think they fully understood from us, not only our seriousness but that we’ve looked at this in a thorough manner,” Sullivan said, "We find ourselves with a positive conversation but not making any judgments on decisions.”

On the East Middle School front, the project stands between the feasibility study and schematic design phase. Hackett said the proposed renovation will include a new auditorium at the town’s expense because the MSBA does not reimburse communities for auditoriums. A second gym is also in the plan, with one likely for fifth and sixth graders and the other for seventh and eighth grade classes.

“Programmatically, we’re going to need another gym given the use,” Hackett said.

No financial numbers have been released for South Middle School but the East Middle School project is pegged at about $69 million, according to early estimates School officials are expecting assistance from the MSBA in the form of a 58 percent reimbursement.

If all goes according to plan, the MSBA will give final approval to the East Middle School renovation in June with construction starting in spring or summer 2017.

Image: file photo