NORWOOD – General Manager Tony Mazzucco, Superintendent David Thomson and the Norwood Middle School Building Committee wish to thank voters for their approval of the New Coakley Middle School Project’s associated Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion during today’s Town Election.
“We are grateful to the residents of Norwood for their support of a new middle school building, which will provide numerous benefits not only to Norwood’s students, but to the community as a whole.
“The vote is a culmination of several years of planning and efforts between the town and Norwood Public Schools, the Middle School Building Committee (MSBC) and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and today’s vote would not have been possible without the thorough and meticulous work of Compass Project Management and Ai3 Architects.
“The new building will be a worthy educational space for the children, educators and families served by the Norwood Public Schools, providing modern, accessible spaces that will foster student growth and development.
“We look forward to how the new building will energize our district and community in the years to come, and await the day that we welcome students to the new Coakley.”
The town and MSBA will now enter into a Project Funding Agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the town will receive its MSBA grant. The MSBC will also move forward with advancing the proposed school design and procure construction bids. Construction is expected to begin in 2023 and the proposed Coakley Middle School is expected to open in the fall of 2025.
For more information and a full overview of the project, please visit the Coakley Middle School Project website here.
With energy efficiency and sustainability as a focal point, the new Coakley is designed to be 100% electric with a low energy use intensity, achieve net zero energy through solar renewable energy, and is currently on track to receive LEED Gold certification.
Charging stations for electric cars would be available at the school as one way to reduce the carbon footprint. Wiring conduits would also be in place to accommodate charging stations for potential electric school buses in the future.
The proposed school would have new and efficient heating and cooling systems, use no fossil fuels and have a highly insulated building envelope, all with the goal of saving energy.
View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.
The project received overwhelming approval at Town Meeting on Monday, March 14. The project now moves on to a ballot vote on Monday, April 4. If the project passes the ballot vote, it will enter MSBA’s Module 6: Project Scope and Budget Phase, and then will proceed with design development and construction bid procurement. The proposed Coakley Middle School would open in the fall of 2025.
If the project does not pass, the town has until June to pass the vote. If the vote fails for a second time, the town will forfeit the maximum amount – $46 million – in grant funds from the MSBA and will be required to withdraw from the MSBA grant program altogether.
View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.
The building’s features would include a new and improved middle school complete with an artificial turf field and athletic lighting, a state-of-the-art 600-seat auditorium and black box theater, a large gymnasium and multiple outdoor spaces.
The new artificial turf field with lighting would allow for year-round and extended length-of-day use for all athletics in the town. The auditorium and theater spaces would also enhance arts and entertainment programs within the school district and community. Finally, the gymnasium will provide ample space for youth sports and summer programming within town.
View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.
NORWOOD – The Town of Norwood would like to share a recap of the decision-making process and progress thus far in planning for a new Coakley Middle School.
Project Background
In 2017, the Norwood Public Schools completed a district-wide facility study with Ai3 Architects, LLC and consultants to review the existing schools in the district. At the conclusion of the process, which began in 2016, the Coakley Middle School was identified as the school with the most building deficiencies. The school currently serves approximately 800 students in grades 6-8.
Building performance, such as capital repairs needed; functional performance, such as enrollment numbers and possible overcrowding; and educational performance, such as existing learning spaces are the criteria used to evaluate the school buildings.
The feasibility study noted that the current Coakley building is overcrowded and is in need of additional educational space for general and special education. It was also noted that the school would benefit from hands-on learning spaces, dedicated teacher collaboration spaces, enhanced natural lighting and improved ventilation.
The 2017 evaluation recommended that a comprehensive renovation and expansion or replacement of the Coakley Middle School be urgently considered as part of the Town’s future planning.
The Norwood Public Schools submitted a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which is the first step in applying for funding assistance for a building project, and was accepted into the MSBA Core Program. Norwood was one of 12 projects selected for the Core program that year. In this program, the MSBA partners with communities to assist in the program development and funding of new school construction or additions/renovations to an existing school.
Compass Project Management and Ai3 Architects were selected for the proposed Coakley project, both of which worked with the Town on the new Norwood High School project, which was completed in 2011.
The town was invited to begin the Feasibility Study phase in 2020, a process during which the current building is evaluated and potential solutions are considered. Part of this process is determining whether adding to, renovating or replacing the school building is the best option. Two possible enrollment options were considered for the project: grades 6-8 serving 800 students, or grades 5-8 serving 1,070 students.
As part of the Feasibility Study, the Town submits a Preliminary Design Program (PDP). The team reviewed possible building sites and the existing building conditions, conducted educational visioning and worked with the district to create the educational program for the project. The PDP evaluates the space necessary to support the district’s education program and identifies potential building sites and layout options.
Once the PDP is submitted to and approved by the MSBA, the project moves forward to the Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) phase. The short list of options, as well as preliminary cost estimates are developed in this phase. At the end of the phase, a preferred option is selected by the Middle School Building Committee (MSBC) and submitted to the MSBA.
As part of the PSR, the MSBC selects a preferred site, location, grade configuration and additions/renovations. To select a site, the MSBC identified 10 possible sites for a new school building, and an in-depth analysis of each site’s suitability was conducted. Following an analysis of each site, in January 2021, the existing Coakley Middle School site was chosen through a unanimous vote by the MSBC as the best site option for the project. The site was then further evaluated to determine the optimal building location, which was determined to be grounds behind the current Coakley building.
In July 2021, construction of a new building for grades 5-8 was supported by the MSBC to be the preferred configuration.
Moving fifth grade to the new Coakley building will result in vacated space in each of the district’s five elementary schools, allowing each school to address specific space needs, including having space for dedicated music and art rooms, additional rooms dedicated to special education, and space for teacher collaboration. This configuration will address overcrowding at the elementary schools in the most cost-effective way by reducing the need for additional renovations or detached modular classrooms at each school.
In August 2021, the MSBA approved the PSR and voted for the town to proceed into the Schematic Design phase which further develops the configuration, building layout and design.
Proposed Building Design
The new building is proposed to be constructed behind the current Coakley building, south of the existing community field. The building will have a four-story academic core and house grades 5-8, with each grade on its own floor. Grades 5-6 will be in a lower school, and grades 7-8 will be in an upper school, both of which will have a dedicated building entrance.
Features of the new building include several outdoor areas to foster collaboration and learning, including rain gardens, outdoor dining areas, reading spaces, art zones, science labs and nature classrooms. Additionally, the new Coakley is designed with a large student common, a 600-seat auditorium with stadium-style seating for school and community use, dedicated collaboration areas for small and large group learning, lab areas to support STEM learning, a 2,000-square-foot adaptive physical education center and bleachers, a multi-use performance technology studio, and a learning commons with independent study and large group collaboration spaces.
The orientation of the building will maximize natural light, and operable windows are designed to control glare and offer natural ventilation. With energy efficiency and sustainability as a focal point, the new Coakley is designed to be 100% electric with a low energy use intensity, achieve net zero energy through solar renewable energy, and is currently on track to receive LEED Gold certification.
Financial Impact
As part of the partnership with the MSBA, the Town is reimbursed a percentage of the project cost, the amount of which is based on MSBA-determined eligible costs. The remainder of the project cost is fulfilled by the Town.
At this time, the project is estimated to cost a total of about $150 million, resulting in a current expected town share of approximately $104 million with an MSBA grant (approved on March 2) of up to approximately $46 million.
A tax impact calculator is located on the project website for residents to learn more about their expected tax impact.
Next Steps
As one of the next steps, the district and MSBA will enter into a Project Funding Agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the district will receive its MSBA grant.
The project received overwhelming approval at Town Meeting on Monday, March 14. The project now moves on to a ballot vote on Monday, April 4.
If approved through town votes, the MSBC will move forward with advancing the proposed school design and procure construction bids. Construction would begin in 2023 and the proposed Coakley Middle School would open in the fall of 2025.
For More Information
Educational Videos
Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos are released periodically and cover various topics relating to the project. Published educational videos can be found here.
Additionally, a video presenting the proposed configurations and design features of the new school can be found here.
Subscribe to Project Updates
An official project website is available at newcmsproject.org. Project information, timelines, documents, project news and more can be found on the website. Community members are also urged to subscribe to the site to receive email alerts when new updates are posted to the website’s news blog.
Additionally, follow the below social media pages for updates:
Educational Video #10 on the Coakley Middle School project includes information on the selection of a site and configuration for the new Coakley Middle School.
The process to choose a site consists of the identification of possible sites and an in-depth analysis of each site’s suitability. A total of 10 sites were identified and evaluated. Following an analysis of each site, in January 2021, the existing Coakley Middle School site was chosen through a unanimous vote by the Middle School Building Committee as the best site option for the project.
Once the building site was chosen, it was further evaluated in order to select the optimal building location. In March 2021, space behind the current Coakley building was selected to be the location for the new building.
Several building configurations, including possible additions/renovations or new construction, as well as grade level configuration options were studied. In July 2021, construction of a new building for grades 5-8 was supported by the Middle School Building Committee to be the preferred configuration.
View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.
The preferred design option approved by the Middle School Building Committee includes a change to the grade configuration of the new Coakley Middle School to include grade 5, along with grades 6-8.
Moving grade 5 to the new Coakley building will result in vacated space in each of the district’s five elementary schools, allowing each school to address specific space needs, including having space for dedicated music and art rooms, additional rooms dedicated to special education, and space for teacher collaboration. This configuration will address overcrowding at the elementary schools in the most cost-effective way by reducing the need for additional renovations or detached modular classrooms at each school.
Significant planning and consideration has been given to ensuring the new middle school building will be a comforting environment for the grade 5 students who will be incorporated into the new building. Each grade will have its own floor, further subdivided by academic area. Grades 5-6 will be in a lower school, and grades 7-8 will be in an upper school, both of which will have a dedicated building entrance and separate dining commons. Strategically placed stairwells will also allow for students to pass between academic areas or shared program spaces without significant crossover between students of different grade levels.
View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.
Independent cost estimates are conducted throughout the project process. The cost per square foot estimated for the project – $606 per square foot – currently falls below the average cost of school construction projects in a similar timeframe, according to data from the MSBA. This cost per square foot also includes the cost of the synthetic turf field and lighting.
As part of the partnership with the MSBA, the Town is reimbursed a percentage of the project cost, the amount of which is based on MSBA-determined eligible costs. The remainder of the project cost is fulfilled by the Town. At this time, the project is estimated to cost a total of about $150 million, resulting in a current expected town share of approximately $104 million with an MSBA grant (approved on March 2) of up to approximately $46 million.
A tax impact calculator is located on the project website for residents to learn more about their expected tax impact.
View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.
Several Educational Videos on the Coakley Middle School project explain the existing conditions of the current Coakley building.
Click here to view: video #2 on daylighting
In the existing building, over 40% of core academic spaces, including the library media center, do not have views to the outdoors and rely solely on electrical lighting. Studies have shown that connection to the outdoors and natural light are beneficial to students’ wellbeing and can impact academic performance.
Click here to view: video #3 on undersized classrooms
About 85% of the educational spaces in the existing building do not meet the space requirements of the MSBA. This lack of space limits space for students, as well as educational tools and supplies. Six isolated classrooms are also located in modular units connected to the building, all of which are also undersized and have outlived their temporary use.
Click here to view: video #4 on the educational layout
In the past, two junior high schools served Norwood, the current Coakley and the current Savage Center. The layout of these sister schools combined grade level by program, similar to traditional high schools. The current Coakley is laid out with rings of classrooms around a center, not allowing for proper separation between grades levels, nor lending itself to the teaming structure the middle school implements.
Click here to view: video #6 on MEPFP infrastructure
Though the Coakley building is well maintained, it has many aging systems and requires updates to meet code requirements. The current heating and cooling system in the Coakley is operational, but has a number of non-functioning units that cause leaks. The building also requires additional cooling systems as the HVAC system is insufficient for the whole building, and the building needs many more electrical outlets throughout the building to support the increase in technology use for education.
Furthermore, the current fire alarm system does not have adequate detector coverage, and parts of the system do not meet ADA requirements. The current lighting in the building is also not up to energy code.
Click here to view: video #7 on accessibility compliance
Several aspects of the current building do not meet accessibility code compliance for individuals with disabilities. These aspects include door hardware, the main office and library check-in desks, building signage, many plumbing fixtures, stairs and fire protection systems. The building’s two existing elevators also create challenges as they are not in locations that allow for easy access between parts of the building.
View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.
NORWOOD – The Town of Norwood would like to invite community members to participate in the final scheduled Community Forum and tour of the current Coakley Middle School building.
The final Community Forum is scheduled for Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m., via Zoom.
Register in advance for the webinarhere. Updates on the project will be presented, budget information will be shared and there will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions related to the project.
The final Coakley Middle School tour is scheduled for Saturday, March 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Registration is not required, and multiple brief tours will be led through the building during the time window. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn about the current building conditions and deficiencies, and learn about the improvements and design components expected of the proposed new building.
About the Project:
In 2017, the Norwood Public Schools completed a district-wide facility study to review the elementary and middle schools. Building performance, such as needed capital repairs; functional performance, such as enrollment numbers and overcrowding; and educational performance, such as existing learning spaces were the criteria used to evaluate each building.
The Coakley Middle School was identified as the school with the most building deficiencies. The current Coakley building is overcrowded and is in need of additional educational space for general and special education. Portions of the school lack natural lighting, require changes for accessibility compliance, and the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems are aging and require updates for code compliance. The building would also benefit from hands-on learning spaces and dedicated teacher collaboration spaces.
The proposed new Coakley Middle School would open in 2025 for approximately 1,070 middle school students.
Norwood residents voted to approve a Town Meeting warrant article to fund the New Coakley Middle School Project at Special Town Meeting on Monday, March 14. Residents will now vote to approve the project in a ballot vote on Monday, April 4.
Learn more about the project and subscribe to receive email updates at newcmsproject.org.
