Where We Are, And How We Got Here

Where We Are, And How We Got Here

Somersworth School DistrictNovember 27, 2007

3 Reasons for School Improvement

Increasing Enrollment This is not a problem in Somersworth.

Facilities are old, outdated and do not meet new laws and regulations.

“Program Crowding” – New mandates and programs have been added due to new laws, expectations, or changes in society.

Current Facilities Current Enrollment Current Capacity

Hilltop (1927) 135 167 1 addition Maple Wood (1980) 496 414

Kindergarten addition Middle School (1962) 549 540 2 additions High School (1956) 606 - 3 additions

Studies 1999-Engineering study by Team Design

concluded that Hilltop would need plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems replaced if used longer than 5 years

2000 – Space Needs Analysis of All Buildings- Supt’s Report

2001 –New Hampshire School Administrators’ Association- Assessment of educational facility needs K-8

Studies (cont.) 2001 –First Space Needs Committee formed 2004 – Architect experienced in historic school

renovations toured Hilltop with the approval of the Space Needs Task Force. Recommended incremental renovations to Hilltop

Fall 2004 – Second Space Needs Committee recommended incremental improvements to HT and an addition of 4 classrooms to HS for SMS students.

2005 – Water pipes froze and broke at Hilltop and the superintendent withdrew the above proposal which was to be submitted to the School Board and City Council.

Studies (cont.) February 2005 – Superintendent

recommended to the City Council that Hilltop be renovated and a new elementary school be built.

Spring 2005 – Joint Building Committee was formed to explore incremental renovations to Hilltop and construction of a new school. No action taken.

Studies (cont.) January 2006 –Second Joint Building Committee

formed and directed to explore potential land and construction options for a new elementary school, and to form a committee to identify alternative uses for Hilltop.

August 2006 – Second Joint Building CommitteeRecommended that a new elementary school be built

March 2007 – Needs analysis done on the 2 elementary schools

Hilltop Needs Substandard classroom spaces-less than

900 sq. ft. Lack of accessibility-elevator, ramps, door

handles, bathrooms wheelchair accessible, bubblers

No ventilation in some areas Crowded hallways Old, unvented bathrooms Limited parking

Hilltop Needs (cont.) Smaller work/instructional spaces lacking 2 egresses Replace heating system Replace electrical system-additional amperage

required for elevator Replace plumbing system Window replacement Lack of storage More library space needed Computer lab space needed Lacks space for kindergarten

Hilltop Needs (cont.) Sprinkler system needed Fire walls needed School security system needed Doors open into corridors Need to meet BOCA codes First graders need to be on the first floor

It’s More Than Just

Hilltop

Maple Wood Needs Maple Wood Deficiencies – March 2007 Lobby entrance and many corridors are filled

with storage and instructional spaces. Special ed students with mobility handicaps

are all sent to MW due to HT’s lack of accessibility.

No computer lab or computer instructional space available.

Maple Wood Needs (cont.)

What was once a conference room, now contains student files, the computer server and guidance office

The nurse’s office is too small, filled with a cot, clothing, and equipment, no waiting area and very limited privacy

Principal’s office is small and used as the facility’s only conference room

Maple Wood Needs (cont.)

Receptionist/Secretaries’ Area- Contains 3 desks, mail room, student waiting area-very tight

Title I room in open area – shared by 4 tutors – should have dedicated space

OT and PT use space in the corridor and closet for student instruction and storage of equipment

Maple Wood Needs (cont.)

PE office is used for paper storage, no shelving, needs dedicated space

Sprinkler room used for storage – Fire violation

Spec. ed, Speech and Language, and ESOL use little rooms off the library where they deal with up to 6 children at a time – too small to function properly

Maple Wood Needs (cont.)

There are 3 desks for the building aides in the library. There should be dedicated space.

The stage is used for music teaching and storage of music stands and equipment. Acoustics are not good when students are in the cafeteria

Maple Wood Needs (cont.)

Up until this year the art teacher went from classroom to classroom, because there was no dedicated space. No room to put projects that students are working on or that require drying. This was changed because a teacher was cut out of the budget. If that position is restored, the art program is back on a cart.

Maple Wood Needs (cont.)

Boiler and electric rooms are used for storage

Kitchen has very limited space for storage. Security System

Middle School Needs 4 programs are held at the high school

due to lack of space Nurse’s office is too small Bathrooms need renovating No conference area for meetings Very small spaces for specialists where

they meet with up to 6 students

Middle School Needs (cont.)

Tutoring is done in the hallways HVAC units on the roof need to be

replaced No common areas for large groups to

meet The library/media center is undersized

and under equipped Security System

Cost Estimates Team Design 1999 Engineering

Study Assessment of Educational Facility

Needs K-8 2001 First Space Needs Committee Second Space Needs Committee Second Joint Building Committee

Cost Estimates

Team Design 1999 StudyHilltop Elementary School

Addition $834,000(elevators, toilet, stairs)Renovate Existing $1,677,600Kindergarten Addition $272,400

TOTAL $3,084,000

NHSAA Assessment of Educational Facility Needs

K-8 2001Alternative 1

Renovate Hilltop School $3,000,000

Build new 4/5 school $6,512,000(14 core classrooms)

TOTAL $9,512,385

NHSAA Assessment of Educational Facility Needs

K-8 2001 Alternative 2

Build a new elementary school

Discontinue use of Hilltop

TOTAL $8,089,260

NHSAA Assessment of Educational Facility Needs

K-8 2001 Alternative 3

Renovate HilltopAdd portables to Hilltop, Maple Wood and Somersworth Middle School

Only emergency or temporary, not deemed appropriate at time of Assessment

First Space NeedsCommittee May 2001

Three Scenarios Scenario A

Renovate Hilltop- add (2) classrooms

($3,546,600)Build new K-5 School($8,510,400)

Total Building Costs: $12,057,000

First Space NeedsCommittee May 2001

Three Scenarios Scenario A (cont.)

Total Cost $18,065,483 includes principal, interest, less building aid (2001)

First Space NeedsCommittee May 2001

Three Scenarios Scenario B

Close HilltopMaple Wood grades k-2New 3-5 facility Somersworth Middle School 6-8

$11,433,252 construction costs$17,162,209 total project costs

First Space NeedsCommittee May 2001

Three Scenarios Scenario C

Renovate Hilltop ($3,546,600)Build new 4-6 School ($11,433,252)

$14,979,852 construction costs$22,581,854 total project costs

First Space Needs Committee 2001

Final Recommendation Scenario A

Renovate Hilltop- add (2) classrooms

($3,546,600)Build new K-5 School($8,510,400)

Total Building Costs: $12,057,000

First Space Needs Committee 2001

Final Recommendation Scenario A (cont.)

Total Cost $18,065,483 includes principal, interest, less building aid (2001)

Second Space Needs Committee 2004

Report to Somersworth School Board October 2004

Critical Capital Improvements to schools$394,850

Incremental Improvements Hilltop(first yr.) $203,410

Report to Somersworth School Board October

2004

Add four additional classrooms to Somersworth High School

for middle school programs $532,410

(deducted 58% building aid from 4 classrooms, other costs $26,624)

Total $828,824

Revised Second Space Needs Committee Report

February 2005Initial Report withdrawn new

recommendation:Adopt Scenario A from 2001 Space Needs Committee

Renovate HilltopBuild new elementary School

Total $18,065,483

Joint Building CommitteeFinal Report August 2006

Build a new K-5 elementary school

no costs given

Somersworth School Board

Recommendation November 14,2006

School Board voted to build an elementary school with a core capacity of 425 students

Est. costs based on 2008 Dept of Education maximum allowable costs

(not including land)Total $9,971,000

*Eligible for 55%building aid

Hilltop Costs

1999 Building Facility Analysis Team DesignAddition with elevatorRenovate existing

Restructure siteKindergarten addition

Total $3,084,000

2008 Updated Projected costs

Total $6,118,385

Building Aid RenovationsFormula

To qualify at least 25% of cost to replace building

If cost of renovation exceeds 60% of cost of replacing building district must meet all codes and explain why renovation is superior to new construction

Land Acquisition

Land Acquisition

Department of Education

Building Aid Information

Minimum Standards for School Sites

5 acres of contiguous buildable land, plus an additional acre for each one hundred students or fraction thereof.

• Maximum Standards for School Sites

20 Acres plus one acre per 100 Pupils elementary

SiteLocation

Stackpole Road

Size

22 acres ($1,295,000)

Initial Land Studies

Site Inspection Geotechnical/Environmental site

inspection Archeological Reconnaissance Land Survey Boundary Survey

Thank You