T h e N e w P a r k A v e n u e E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l W E B S T E R , M A

S c h e m a t i c D e s i g n P h a s e Pro jec t Update Ap r i l 23 , 2012

A G E N D A

• Project Overview

• The Case for a New School

• The School Building Design

• Financial Considerations

• Discussion, Question & Answer

P R O J E C T O V E R V I E W

What’s the Plan? Webster is proposing to build a new school to replace the 50 + year old Park Avenue Elementary School • Size: 109,067 Square Feet • The old building will be completely demolished and

the new building will be constructed in its place • New academic spaces will be three stories and

include flexible rooms to support 21st Century Learning

• Reconfigure grades: PK-4 in new bldg; 5-8 at current Middle School and 9-12 at Bartlett.

T H E C A S E F O R A N E W S C H O O L

What’s wrong with the Park Ave. School?

• 23% undersized for existing enrollment based on State minimum standards

• The walls and roof are virtually uninsulated, making the building very expensive to heat

• Every infrastructure system has outlived its useful life. Heating, ventilation, plumbing, and electrical systems are 50+ years old

• Many parts of the building have limited handicapped accessibility

• Windows are old, drafty, single-pane units

• 15 year old roof, is leaking, and is hard to repair.

• High operational costs due to inefficient, failing systems

• The building has no fire sprinkler system • Difficult mobility for young children to get from

lower level to upper level

What’s wrong with the Park Ave. School?

Benefits of a New School

• Flexible, 21st Century learning facilities • More compact, energy-efficient building • Projected 41% savings on electrical and heating

costs • Sustainably designed “green” building will earn at

least “LEED Silver” rating • Provide for a safe and efficient school: keep the

heat in and the rain out!

• Natural daylight in all occupied spaces to reduce eye strain and save energy

• Modern, upgradable technology infrastructure to support learning - today and tomorrow

• Will provide for a fully handicapped accessible school

• Will provide for appropriate special education spaces and take them out of closets and hallways

Benefits of a New School

• Our new school is an investment in Webster’s future – our children!

• Significant savings on operating costs because of the new building’s energy efficiency

• Improved community access to the cafetorium, gymnasium, playgrounds, and library

• Building a new school can create construction jobs and encourage other businesses to locate in Webster, supporting the growth of our local economy.

• Building a new school can increase property values within Webster by encouraging families with children to buy homes in Town.

Benefits for our Community

Site Plan

New building location relative to existing school

Site Plan

Proposed Floor Plans

Kindergarten and Pre-K Cafetorium and Kitchen

Gym and Boiler Room

Main Entry and Admin

Proposed Floor Plans

Art and Music

1st and 2nd Grade Classroom “Houses” with Special Education Rooms in between

Parent Drop-Off Entry and Library/Media Center

Custodial/Maintentrance

3rd and 4th Grade Classroom “Houses” with Special Education Rooms in between Upper Level

Middle Level

Exterior Building Images

View from Park Ave

Exterior Building Images

View toward Main Entry, Art/Music, Cafeteria

View towards Kindergarten Entrance

Exterior Building Images

View toward Library and Middle Level Entrance and Classroom “Houses”

Exterior Building Images

View from Ray Street Entrance

Exterior Building Images

F I N A N C I A L C O N S I D E R A T I O N S

Why is it Important to Build Now?

• 77.49% state reimbursement (approx. $29.6M to $31.1M) on eligible costs for this project

• If Webster does not move forward with this project now, our current agreement with the State will expire and our community will lose all of the state funding

• A portion of local money paid in sales tax contributes to the state’s funding for this project. If Webster voters do not approve the two votes, some other community will build their school using these funds.

Why is it Important to Build Now?

• Interest rates for borrowing are at historic lows- this will save Webster a lot of money.

• Because many construction firms are looking for work now, there is a competitive bidding climate that may help to reduce the final price tag.

• If Webster voters do not approve the votes for this project, our community will still be forced to pay for expensive repairs to outdated and failing building systems - without any money from the state to help us.

Code/Maintenance only option – Local Share $19.8M (To address code issues in current building 60k sf/PK-2) New School – Local Share: $15.9M-$17.4M (This is a new school 109k sf/PK-4)

How do we want to spend our tax dollars?

We’re going to have to spend money to fix the school

How will this project be paid for? Estimated Cost Sharing*

State Share

Webster Share

$29.6M - $31.1M

$15.9M - $17.4M

• Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) will pay 77.49% of the eligible project costs.

• The State reimburses their share of the project as the project is constructed. This saves a lot of money by reducing the amount of interest Webster has to pay.

• Tax Impacts are estimated for a home valued at $230,000 at 4% interest for a 20 year bond to be between $175 to $191 per year.

Total Estimated Project Cost: $47,050,000

* Current estimate. Final figures available after final MSBA approval on June 6, 2012

What is the Project’s Schedule?

• April through June- Continued public outreach on the project • June 6, 2012 - MSBA Project Scope and Budget Approval • June 11, 2012 – Special Town Meeting • June 25, 2012 - Public Vote for a Debt Exclusion • July 2012 – February 2013 - Design and Permitting • June 2013 - Construction begins • December 2014 - New School Opens

For More Information

Project Websites: www.whydoitnow.com

www.wpsbuildingproject.com Or join us on Facebook:

Friends of Webster Public Schools

Q U E S T I O N S A N D A N S W E R S …