Phase One of High School Project Underway

With the success of the high school override vote, the $129.9 million project is underway. The project costs the town $85 million dollars, and the state would pay $44.5 million through the Massachusetts School Building Authority partnership. This is largest project in the history of the town.

“The architects are in the process of going through the design sketches to finalize the actual architectural scheme,” Superintendent Bill McCalduff said.

“The EFPBC (Education Facilities Planning and Building Committee) will be working for six or seven months. Once that’s done, construction documents, manager will worker the groups to finalize the costs. In mean time, EFPBC will be working with management companies to build early packages”

The three-phase plan for site construction calls for two additions, which starts in June 2014. This will begin the relocation of the building systems to the first floor, the construction of the administration area, the center commons and media center and reconstruction of all three floors of one of the three academic wings. During construction, classes will be held in pods.

Phase two will begin in June 2015, which will focus on reconstructing the remaining academic wings.

Phase three, which will start in June 2016, will address the renovation of the auditorium, the gym, locker rooms and the construction on the music suite.

“Residents are always welcome and encouraged to attend EFPBC meetings, held on Wednesdays at 6:30 in Town Hall beginning in January.  In addition to the 11 members of the Committee, these meetings are typically attended also by the Director of Finance and the WHS Principal,” School Committee Cynthia Bohne said in a press release.

“Community members should continue to look to the project website: www.winchesterhsproject.com for updates and announcements regarding the project.“