School Committee Supports Partial Rebuild of Galvin

Although somewhat tempted by the idea of a completely brand-new , the School Committee decided at its Sept. 27th meeting to support a design plan that would build new classroom space, yet renovate existing school commuity spaces instead of building new ones.

The partial re-build plan, known as option two, would provide for the renovation of Galvin’s gym and auditorium, and newly constructed spaces for classrooms, administrative offices, and the library.

Other options included larger scale renovations to the existing structure (option 1) and a total rebuild of the entire school (option 3).

Despite their attraction to the third design option, the school committee was aware that the building of a brand school would most likely mean the loss of the current auditorium space, because the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) would not reimburse the school district for a large-scale middle school gym and auditorium.

“I think it’s important for us as a community to have that space,” said School Committee Member Anne Danehy about the auditorium. 

The benefits of the partial re-build plan are that it would retain the existing gym and auditorium, create separate entrances for students and the public, and create an academic wing conducive to Wakefield’s academic goals.

The major drawback of this particular plan is that core components of the facility would not be usable during the second phase of construction.

In discussing the options, School Committee Chair Lisa Butler reminded other members that option two would provide for new academic classrooms that would support the district’s vision for education.

“Option two is new construction,” she said. “The whole academic wing is new construction, not renovation. The only renovations done would be to the gym and auditorium.”

Superintendent Joan Landers announced her support for option two.

“If I had a vote, I’d vote for that option,” she said.

When put to a vote, the school committee unanimously decided to recommend option two to the Permanent Building Committee.

The rejected options
The first option presented to the school committee would provide for a thorough renovation of the current building combined with limited additions.

According to Tappe Associates, the project's architectural design firm, the major drawbacks to this option are that it doesn’t provide a layout conducive to Wakefield’s educational concepts and that approximately half of all students would be placed in modular classrooms during renovations.

This particular design plan received little consideration from committee members.

“One for me is really off the table because it seems like it’s going to be extremely disruptive to the students,” Danehy said.

The third option presented to the school committee would provide for the construction of a completely new facility.

The major drawbacks to this option are that it wouldn’t allow for reuse of the existing resources and that Galvin’s visibility would be reduced along Main Street.

Several members expressed their interest in the third option, mainly because it would provide brand new facilities.

“I’m immediately drawn to option three; I prefer new construction,” School Committee Member Kevin Piskaldo said.

Future Steps
At its next meeting on Oct. 3, the Permanent Building Committee will vote on which option it will send to the MSBA. If the MSBA approves the plan, the project will move out of the feasability study phase and into the schematic design phase.