High School Exterior Design Presented to School Committee

High School Building Committee member Kevin O’Neil revealed the exterior design plans for to the school committee Monday night.

While interior designs of the 32,000 square foot, two-floor addition have been available to the public through various informational meetings, displays during events in town and online, the exterior designs are fairly new. They show a modern looking front entrance with a lot of windows and even a potential area to showcase the artwork of students.

The only changes to the interior design were made to the cafeteria, which will not extend underneath the second floor overhang and the size of the restroom and science preparation areas.

The high school building project will go before voters June 6 at the Special Town Meeting and June 11 for the Special Election.

“I think it’s important to know that this money will be brought to a debt exclusion,” said school committee chairperson Beth McManus, noting that there are proposition 2 ½ signs floating around. “This is not a proposition 2 ½ override. This will be paid off in 20 years.”

O’Neil said that the Massachusetts School Building Authority would not have offered the 64 percent reimbursement for fragmented repairs and replacement because it will not add to the educational quality of the school. In fact, cost estimates were higher according to the feasibility study. Also, the MSBA gives more reimbursement points to a town that renovates an existing building than to towns that build a new one.

“So for $150 a year for a limit of 20 years you can get a completely redesigned school; completely renovated, new addition, all new materials, new plan, something that is educationally sound for the 21^st century,” O’Neil said.

The schematic design, project scope with floor plan designs and budget agreement have been presented to the MSBA board for vote at their May 25 meeting, which is to include a binding agreement.

“I was impressed Wednesday with the quality of the team that we have with the MSBA.,” superintendent Dr. Patricia Ansay said. “They want Norton to be successful. They asked the hard questions to make sure everything we give them is detailed and appropriate, but it’s for our own good.”

Now, the high school building committee is looking toward the home stretch.

“The next three weeks, we’re focusing on making sure we get the message out to the community, that people have factual accurate information that they can make their decision based off of,” O’Neil said.

There will be a question and answer on Norton TV with Sheri Hartnett Cohen and Kevin O'Neil on Thursday moderated and hosted by Norton TV board director Victor Rodriguez. To submit a question, email vrod3369@yahoo.com. They will also be on “The Wrap,” which airs Fridays at 5:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays on Norton TV or www.nortontv.org.

School committee Deniz Savas also encourages people to call the MSBA if they have any questions.

To calculate your annual tax increase and obtain other information, visit http://www.nhsbuildingproject.org/.

For more on last night’s school committee meeting, tune in later to Norton Patch.