The state has decided that the town needs a new high school, but whether it will help pay for the design of the building is another matter that it could settle today.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority's Board of Directors will meet 10 a.m. to vote on whether to move ahead ahead with designing a new high school.
Authority Press Secretary Carrie Sullivan said yesterday the authority has already determined that new construction is a better option than major renovations and will vote this morning in Boston on whether to begin partially funding the design and cost estimate of a new Norwood High.
"After six months of due diligence, we've determined that a new school is needed," said Sullivan, who said the determination came after extensive study that included several visits to the school by teams of engineers and architects, reviews of the district's enrollment trends, and a look at all possible solution options.
Sullivan stressed that if the board votes to move forward with the design phase, it does not necessarily mean the entire project has been approved for partial state reimbursement. The two sides still need to work together to design a school that meets authority approval.
The authority hopes to approve $2.5 billion in school building funding over the next five years. Based on a number of factors, communities will be reimbursed 40 percent to 80 percent of the costs of approved projects.
The authority has spent the past six months studying the high school and various renovation options to address the facility's problems, which include a space shortage, as well as outdated science labs and mechanical systems. The building's problems have prompted the New England Association of Schools and Colleges to threaten to revoke the school's accreditation, which is now on warning status.
Prior to the existence of the building authority, the town formed the 21-member School Facilities Task Force to develop a plan to address the high school's needs. That committee recommended the town build a new high school behind the existing Nichols Street facility at a cost estimated in 2005 of $80 million to $100 million. But that study will not be the basis for a new building, said Sullivan, as the state and town will start from scratch to design an educationally appropriate and fiscally responsible new school.
Task force co-Chairman Chris Morrison said yesterday he is pleased the authority agrees with the task force's conclusion that a new school is the best solution for Norwood.
"We are grateful that (the authority) took the time, just as the (task force) did, to review all the options to be sure to get it right," said Morrison.
Voters in April 2006 approved a $6 million debt exclusion override to fund design of the new building, but that process was halted while the town collaborated with the newly formed school building authority on possible reimbursement.
The building authority today will decide whether to press ahead and work with the town on a so-called "schematic design" phase. Sullivan said the first steps in that phase include hiring an owner's project manager and an architectural firm. Prior to its collaboration with the authority, the town selected RF Walsh Company to manage the project and Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates to design the school, but Sullivan said both firms need authority approval before work can begin.
"We have review panels set up to approve (project managers and architects)," said Sullivan, who estimates the design phase could take between three and six months.
The School Committee will have a joint meeting with the School Facilities Task Force tonight, 7:30 p.m., at the Police and Fire station's community room to discuss the authority's decision and, if the project is approved, the details of the design process.
"Norwood has waited a long time to move forward on this project," said Morrison. "We look forward to the opportunity of working with the (school building authority) to design a school of which our students, staff, and entire town can be proud."
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.
