Long Range Facility Study
In 2017, the Norwood Public Schools completed a district wide facility study to review the elementary and middle school physical plants. In all cases the Coakley Middle School was identified as the school with the most building deficiencies. For more detail, please see the link to the study below.
It was clear that the facility needs of Coakley Middle School must be the first priority of the Norwood Public School District. The town and district decided to move forward to find a solution. Supported by the study results, Norwood Public School District reached out to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for assistance.
Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient schools across Massachusetts.
In 2018, Norwood Public School District submitted a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the MSBA for the Coakley Middle School. A copy of the SOI can be downloaded. Please see link below. The SOI is the first step in applying for MSBA funding assistance. Norwood was invited into the Core Program with MSBA. After completing the Eligibility Period requirement, MSBA invited Norwood into the Feasibility Study phase in early 2020 with two possible enrollment options for the Coakley Middle School.
Grades 6-8 for total of 800 students
Grades 5-8 for total of 1,070 students
MSBA Feasibility Study Phase – Module 3 (Current Phase)
In 2020, working with MSBA, Norwood hired an Owner’s Project Manager, Compass Project Management for the Coakley Middle School Project. With the assistance of Compass and working with MSBA, Ai3 Architects was hired as the architect for the project. This completes the design phase of the project team. Compass and Ai3 worked together with Norwood on the New Norwood High School Project.
Preliminary Design Program (PDP)
PDP is the first report to be completed in the Feasibility Study Phase. In this phase, the team will review possible sites, the existing middle school building’s conditions, conduct educational visioning and work with the district to create the educational program for the project.
From the educational program, a space summary will be created. With the program, conceptual solution options can be developed to explore the pros and cons of each option. At the end of the PDP process, the list of the conceptual options will be reduced to a short list of options for further study in the next phase.
Preferred Schematic Report (PSR)
After MSBA review of the PDP, the project moves forward to the PSR phase. In this phase, the short list of options are further developed including conceptual cost estimates for each option. The team will review the options with the Middle School Building Committee, MSBC. MSBC will vote to move one (1) option (i.e. the preferred solution) forward and submit the PSR report, which will included a projected maximum budget, to the MSBA.
MSBA Review of PSR
MSBA will conduct its review of the PSR submitted by the town and district. With the MSBA staff review and recommendation, the project will be voted by the MSBA Board. With the Board Approval Vote, the project can move into the Schematic Design Phase. MSBA has voted to move the project forward to Schematic Design on August 25, 2021.
Schematic Design
In the Schematic Design Phase, the district will develop the design further and conduct a detail cost estimate. In addition, cost for design and engineering and other soft cost will be collected and a project cost will be established. MSBA will review and modify the budget and arrived at a project budget for the project. This will also include the establishment of the maximum grant amount. The Schematic Design will need to be approved by the MSBA Board.