Vote for Schools DuxburyCARES

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October 29 & November 5

DuxburyCARES supports the position of the School Building Committee that a new co-located middle and high school is the most cost-effective, affordable, educationally-appropriate long-term solution for our children and our community.

The Proposal

The Details

Designed by Mount Vernon Group architects, led by Duxbury resident Dennis Daly Design based on MVGs design of Ashland High School, a cost-effective, educationally-sound design that is part of the MSBA Model School Program 322,210 square feet; two 3-story classroom wings for middle school and high school joined by common Main Street corridor and linking academic areas to athletic, music and art areas, and direct access to PAC Separate entrances for middle school and high school, and community-usable spaces Science classrooms meet National Science Foundation guidelines Shared space in applied technology labs, art rooms, music, lecture/stage/mini auditorium, black box theater, library Common areas and team teaching spaces provided for flexible learning environments and interdisciplinary teaching Infrastructure to fully support technology Two gyms, two fitness rooms, and two lockers rooms, one each for middle school and high school Single kitchen and cafeteria with separators for middle school and high school students Preserves Train Field, maintains integrity of 65 acre school campus and creates more open space

Meets Massachusetts CHPS (Certified High Performance School) requirements, (equates to LEED Silver) for green/sustainable building elements and improved energy efficiency All classrooms have windows with enhanced daylighting to reduce energy costs and provide optimal learning environment Provisions to install photovoltaics (solar) on roof Improves traffic flow on St. George Street, and adds parking space on both sites Two new fields on current 38-acre high school site to replace field lost behind current middle school New fieldhouse next to turf fields provides one court, restrooms, locker rooms and concession space for school and community sporting events, and also storage and maintenance space for school buildings and grounds Total cost approximately $128.4M, including schematic design ($1.55M) Schematic design and cost estimates have been delivered on time and under budget Cost includes building contents: furniture, fixtures, equipment and technology Expected reimbursement: 45.13% of eligible items Maximum final cost to town estimated $77M

The Process
2000 NESDEC (New England School Development Council) study found DMS, "needs renovation/upgrade due to the age of the building" and found DHS needing, "overall renovation in the next decade". 2000 Master Facilities Plan approved. 2008 School Building Committee (SBC) reconvened to plan replacement of older Chandler roof and initiate planning for Duxbury Middle and High Schools. 2009 SBC requests funds for a feasibility study for DMS, DHS at Annual Town Meeting. Voters approve. 2010 Feasibility Study completed on time and under budget and presented at Annual Town Meeting. Summer, 2010 MSBA invites Duxbury to collaborate on a middle and high school project in the model school program. Reimbursement estimated at 40%. March, 2011 $2.9M in design funds for new co-located middle and high school approved at Town Meeting and Town Election. Spring and Summer, 2011 Design process begins: designer and owners project manager selected, educational plan developed, preliminary schematic design executed. Initial design package submitted to MSBA for approval. Actual schematic design costs coming in under budget at $1.55M. October 29, 2011 Article at Special Town Meeting to requires Yes vote by 2/3 majority. November 5, 2011 Question on ballot for Special Town Election requires Yes vote by simple majority. Winter into Spring, 2011-2012 Final design completed and project sent out for bid.* Summer, 2012 Construction begins.* Fall, 2014 Students occupy building.* Fall, 2015 Building demolition and field construction complete. Project complete.*
*If funding approved

The Costs
The estimated total cost of the new build, including design and demolition costs is $128.4M. Duxbury would receive reimbursement from the state for about 45% of 92% of that cost; the fieldhouse and administrative spaces are not reimbursable. The state has money in its pipeline for our project and it will be released when the project is approved. The maximum final cost to the town is estimated to be $77M. Reimbursement begins immediately and occurs on an on-going basis: once Duxbury voters approve the project, the MSBA can begin reimbursement to the town for charges as they are incurred. Duxbury and the MSBA are working together to maximize reimbursement to the town. The SBC estimates the reimbursement will be 45.13%. Duxbury must vote to appropriate the full amount of design and construction costs (less design funds already appropriated, per August 25 SBC meeting); but the town will have to borrow only our share. SBC will pursue value engineering options where possible and appropriate to keep costs in check Town finance officials are working to find the best way to finance the project for the town and its citizens. Taxpayers likely will not see the increase until 2014. The projected addition to the average tax bill will be released as soon as finance officials determine borrowing approach. The addition to a homeowners tax bill is expected to be 11-12%. A new co-located middle and high school is the most cost-effective, affordable, educationally-appropriate long-term solution for our children AND our community.

For more information, see www.DuxburyCARES.org

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Paid for by the DuxburyCARES Ballot Action Committee, Kathleen Muncey, Treasurer, PO Box 2642, Duxbury, MA 02331