Interior Renovations Considered For WMS Enrollment Fix

After a lengthy review of options to increase classroom space at Wellesley Middle School, KC Kato suggested splitting the district's response into two phases, the first involving no outside construction.

Enrollment figures have proven unstable over the summer, Kato noted, with the Fiscal Year 2014 numbers a lot softer than anticipated. Bearing that in mind, she said, "I think it is possible to get through Fiscal Year 2013 (when projections show there will be 1,195 students) with only the interior renovations," Kato said.

With just work on the interior of the Middle School, Kato said, the schools could begin making the changes in the spring and then finish construction over the summer in time for the Fiscal Year 2012, which begins Sept. 2011. The cost for the interior renovations, which would yield 12 extra classrooms, would be $1,475,298.

Current figures predict 1,224 students by Fiscal Year 2014, and a need for four more classrooms for a total of 16 additional classrooms. 

After the interior work, she said, if the Middle School enrollment figures continue to rise as projected, they could choose to implement one of several options outlined earlier in the meeting by Pip Lewis, principal for HMFH Architects of Cambridge.

Those options, labled A-E, were variations on previous alternatives Lewis has presented to the board, save for E, which includes an addition to the gym.

Option A follows an all-interior renovation of the school, moving school administration in the second year of the plan. Total cost would be $6,087,434.

Option B houses most of the new classrooms in Gym B, losing the gym and fitness center. Lewis labeled this not viable, since it eliminates the school's gym. Total cost would be $6380,598. 

Option C moves school administration in the first year of the plan and builds two modular buildings on Calvin Road. Total cost would be $7,701,941.

Option D keeps school administration in place, with two smaller modular buildings on Calvin Road. Total cost would be $4,946,307.

Option E adds a pre-fab, three-floor addition on the side of Gym B, relocating school administration for a year. Lewis said this was the most expensive option. Total cost would be $8,889,880.

"We would rather see more accurate numbers," now and next year, said Selectman Terry Tsgaris, a member of the School Building Committee. 

The School Building Committee will meet again to continue discussing the subject Sept. 3, 9:30 a.m., at Town Hall.