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Q AND A

Hingham Middle School Construction Project (Under The Massachusetts School Building Authority's (MSBA) Model School Program) - 9/26/11

What is the exact cost of the construction project and the reimbursement amount/percentage?

The total cost to Hingham, after MSBA reimbursement, will be $35,001,340. However, the Town Meeting Warrant Article and Ballot Question will reference the total project cost of $60,910,920. Because the state's reimbursement will be on a "pay-as-you-go" basis, the Town will need to borrow only the lower amount. The reimbursement rate is 43.87% of eligible costs, and that includes an additional 5 points because Hingham is in the "Model School" program.

Was a repair project considered?

Yes. When we originally began discussions with the MSBA last fall, we anticipated a Feasibility Study that would look at all possible options, from a renovation/addition project to a new building. When the structural issues with the roof beams occurred in February, the MSBA invited Hingham to participate in the Model School Program since it appeared to them (and to us) that the new structural issues, combined with the many other facilities issues that are known (aging HVAC and electrical systems, failing window walls and roof membrane, etc.), precluded the renovation option from further consideration. Any renovation project would need to update the facility to a 50-year life if the Town were to look for reimbursement from the state.

What is a Model School Program?

Model Schools are designated by MSBA as newly constructed buildings that meet MSBA requirements and other standards such as construction efficiency and cost effectiveness. Under the model school program, Hingham will select from among several designs recommended for consideration by the MSBA. Those designs will then be modified to fit Hingham's needs (enrollment, program, siting, etc.). Model Schools are less costly in terms of the length and cost of the design phase; therefore, the shorter timeline will allow Hingham to take advantage of current interest rates and avoid the typical cost escalation of a longer process.

Where will the students be housed during the construction?

The current plan is for them to remain in the existing building for the next three school years. Potential designers/architects were informed of that intent and asked to submit their proposals with that understanding. The designer, Ai3, and the principal, Mr. Boddie, are in the process of developing plans to ensure both the safety of the buiding occupants and a productive learning environment during the anticipated two-year construction period.

What is the capacity of the new building?

The design capacity for the building is 1020 students, a number that was recommended by the MSBA after a full review of actual and anticipated enrollment figures, and has been endorsed by the Chair of the Board of Selectmen, the Chair of the School Committee, and the Superintendent. The current enrollment at HMS is 940, but the capacity there (including the modular classrooms) is 880 students. The core spaces (cafeteria, gym, and auditorium) are original to the 1961 building and pre-date even the 1996 addition that brought the building capacity to 770 students.

What will happen to the existing building?

It will be demolished when the new structure is complete. An engineering/architecural assessment has concluded that it cannot be used as part of the Model School plan. However, the modular classrooms are movable and could be connected to a building on another site. With the exception of a small amount of asbestos abatement costs for existing floor tiles, the demolition costs are reimburseable at the 43.87 % rate.

How will the building be funded?

The Selectmen have scheduled a Special Town Meeting (October 24, 2011) and a Debt Exclusion Ballot vote (October 29th) to authorize the necessary borrowing for the remaining design work and the full construction costs of the new building. The Town Meeting vote will require a 2/3 majority, as do all articles that require bonding or borrowing.

Will new athletic fields be part of the project?

Yes, new fields will be constructed after the demolition. There will be additional parking as well. Because the new three-story structure has a smaller footprint than the existing building, there will be more green space on the site than currently exists.

What will happen with the ball fields during the construction period?

It is most likely that there will be no use of the fields by community groups during the construction period and until the new fields are ready for use. Mr. Boddie and his staff will work on creative use of what outdoor space is available for outdoor gym purposes.

When would a new school open?

We have a very aggressive timeline that calls for bidding in late winter and a "shovel in the ground" by summer 2012, followed by an estimated 24-month construction period. If all goes according to that schedule, we would anticipate occupying a new school for the 2014-2015 school year.

Is the current building safe in the interim?

We have had a thorough engineering assessment of the structure. We are assured that it is safe for occupancy and continued use. The shoring beams that were put in place after the snow event in February remain in place. The most damaged beam has been repaired. We have conducted an assessment of the cost of repair of the other laminated wooden beams. After the Town Meeting and Ballot vote, the SC will determine whether to undertake a more extensive and costly repair project or to simply leave the existing supports in place.

Did April approval of the Feasibility Study funding request ensure that the new school will be built?

The Feasibility Study was the first step in an aggressive timeline that also includes MSBA Board approval of a Project Funding Agreement (specifying the exact reimbursement funding that will be paid for eligible costs) and voter approval of final design and construction costs. The Study was a required part of the MSBA process and a prerequisite for achieving reimbursement for the state's share of the project. However, a 2/3 majority vote at the October 24th Special Town Meeting and a majority vote on the October 29th Ballot question are necessary for both the local funding and the MSBA's reimbursement of its share of the project.

What is the Potential Salvage and Reuse of Existing Middle School?

The School Building Committee has been working on a solution to the facility and enrollment issues affecting the existing middle school. Following the report of the Master Plan Review Committee ("MPRC") in October, 2010, which confirmed the need to address concerns first identified in the 2006 School Facility Study Committee 10 Year Master Plan, the School Committee decided to explore the recommended options in the MPRC report including an addition/renovation of the existing building, construction of a new school, and a new school designed and constructed pursuant to the model school program of the Massachusetts School Building Authority ("MSBA"). Due to both a recognition of Hingham's need at the middle school level and the recent successful partnership in the development and construction of East Elementary School, the MSBA chose to work with Hingham again for a middle school project.

As recently as January 20, 2011 during a meeting with MSBA officials, there was a strong sense that an addition/renovation project was among the better options to pursue. With the existing building only 50 years old and the Town's significant investment in a new science wing in 1996 built with reimbursement through the MSBA's old regime subject to repayment, many found the prospect of demolishing the entire school, and particularly the science wing and gymnasium, a bit troubling. As a result of the severe winter storms that brought several feet of snow, however, structural elements of the existing middle school were compromised rendering the addition/renovation option infeasible, at least with the participation of MSBA reimbursement dollars so coveted by the Town. An invitation to the MSBA's model school program soon followed and School and Town officials quickly agreed that the opportunity to increase the potential level of cost reimbursement was something that could not be missed.

To address questions raised by many as to whether any portion of the existing building could be salvaged and either integrated into the design of a newly constructed school or perhaps repurposed for other use by the Town, the project architect has prepared the following responses which explain why such an option is not viable:

1. The MSBA will not provide any grant reimbursement money for work associated with maintaining portions of the existing building. This includes design, construction, upgrades, modifications, evaluations, etc.

2. The MSBA will not allow work associated with maintaining any portions of the existing building to be part of the proposed design and construction project. Hingham has been approved by the MSBA to proceed with an "All new" model middle school project, and the MSBA believes this is the best value for the Commonwealth and the Town of Hingham.

3. The MSBA has an extended an offer to the Town of Hingham to participate in the "Model School" program. This offer includes many advantages, including an additional 5% in reimbursement grant money. The model school program does not support the re-use of existing building structures as these existing portions have been determined to be inefficient and unable to support a cost-effective and educationally viable program.

4. Maintaining portions of the existing building (Like the existing science labs) would require that building systems (like electrical, heating, and ventilation) be modified to allow these portions of the building to "Stand-alone". These portions of the building were not designed to exist independent from the remaining building. In order to keep these distinct portions of the existing building in place, a significant amount of new construction and modifications would have to occur.

5. If portions of the existing building remain in place, those portions would have to be made fully code-compliant and would have to comply with the most recent accessibility and energy code regulations. This would involve significant work and expense, all paid for by Hingham taxpayers without reimbursement from the Commonwealth.

6. As a result of recent changes to the MA Building Code, any replacement of roofing on these existing buildings would require anchorage of unreinforced masonry to the roof diaphragm; additionally, the roof diaphragm would have to be modified to insure that it would comply with the newly adopted 110mph wind uplift. These items would result in significant additional costs to the Town.

7. Due to the recent adverse weather conditions caused by snow and tornados, there is a concern in communities regarding roof structures and their ability to withstand excessive snow loads and resist wind uplift forces. Modifications to the existing structure to provide roof stiffening and lateral load resistance would be highly recommended and would be prohibitively expensive.

8. As a result of the established MSBA guidelines and goals, the new model middle school building must meet extremely high standards for energy efficiency and overall building operational efficiency. It's roof, windows, exterior wall construction, heating systems, ventilations systems, and lighting all have to meet standards which are significantly higher (75-100%) than the existing Hingham Middle School building. Attempting to incorporate portions of the existing building into the new building would compromise these guidelines and goals. Modifying portions of the existing building to meet all of the standards established for the new building would be cost prohibitive.

9. A new, compact three-story middle school will provide more efficient use of the available land at the middle school site. It will allow the Town/School to create more parking and more playfield area than that which currently exists; a valuable resource to the Town. Attempting to maintain portions of the existing building will compromise this efficiency. We would lose one of the currently proposed playfields, and would likely have less parking and a less efficient bus and auto circulation path.

10. The ideal location for a new middle school building is directly adjacent to the existing Hingham Middle School, on the available fields. This avoids disruption to the existing school during construction, allows for more efficient auto and bus circulating in the future, and creates expanded parking and playfields. It also places the primary entrance in a prominent location located just south of the existing gymnasium. A review of the proposed location for the new middle school and its intended design impact reveals that leaving a portion of the existing building would greatly compromise the proposed new middle school design.