Renovation Part of Vision for Future of Some Easton Schools

An inefficient HVAC at the Parkview School, the need for new heating and unit ventilators at Moreau Hall, and wall repairs at the two schools along with the Center School are just some of the reasons why the Eason School Committee has begun looking at the possibility of renovating three schools in town.

Presenting the results of the work of a visioning committee at a recent school committee meeting, Don Walker, an architect from Dore and Whitter of Newburyport, laid out the needs of the three schools and the cost to repair and renovate the home for Easton students up to second grade.

While nothing at the schools are in dire need of replacement today, the combined cost to do capital improvements to the three schools down the road is estimated to be $39.1 million.

Any plan to renovate would likely mean addressing the educational needs of the students, increasing the projected price from anywhere between $47 to $60 million depending on the proposal.

According to project manager Michele Rogers, the visioning committee said they would like to see a renovation do more than just capital improvements, calling for the changes that adjust how space is utilized to address undersized classrooms, the end of combined gymnasium/cafeteria spaces, and more room for outdoor learning, libraries, and music education.

When given options for renovation, eight members of the 13-person visioning committee said they would like to see renovation with Parkview and Center Schools housing students in kindergarten through second grade and Moreau Hall being used for pre-K and administrative staff.

Five members voted to move all first and second grades to the Parkview School, use the Center School for pre-K and kindergarten, and Moreau Hall for administrative staff.

While Walker mentioned submitting all the schools to the Massachusetts Schools Building Associations (MSBA) as part of a project proposal, some school committee members questioned if it was feasible or if voters in town would approve renovations to three schools at once due to the costs.

Three buildings is unlikely as Walker mentioned that the MSBA usually prefers to see one building per project.

Any renovation project still has years to go. The school district hopes to send a statement of interest to the MSBA in the spring with the creation of plans, schedules, and more precise costs still to be determined. Walker said that a renovation on a building would not be completed until 2021 at the earliest.

Photo Credit: Easton Schools