A complete renovation of the 50-year-old school with resized and new spaces that will meet today’s educational requirement to best serve the students for the next 50 years.

In 2016, the project was initiated by the Regional School Committee over concerns that the age and design of the high school adversely impacted the District’s ability to deliver quality education in a safe, reliable and educationally appropriate setting.

The School Committee applied to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) to join the MSBA’s school funding program. The District’s application was accepted on its second attempt and the district was invited into the MSBA core program.

In 2017 the district town meetings appropriated $1.3 million dollars to cover the cost of a feasibility study.

As required by the MSBA program, the School Committee appointed a School Building Committee and adopted a charge to the committee instructing the committee how to proceed.  The School Building Committee has reported regularly to the School Committee at School Committee meetings.

The Building Committee, assisted by its owner’s project manager and architect, proceeded to evaluate the existing conditions at the school and 11 possible project options including a “code upgrade only” option, various renovation and addition options, and a complete replacement of the school.

From the 11 possible project options that were evaluated,  the building committee selected the option that met the educational needs of the District and had the lowest net cost to District taxpayers.

The School Building Committee, appointed by the Nauset Regional School Committee  and assisted by its owner’s project manager and architect, proceeded to evaluate the existing conditions at the school.  As required by the MSBA, the committee reviewed the following scenarios:

• 100% renovation /repair (code upgrade only),
• 100% new construction at the original site,
• 100% new construction at an appropriate alternate site,
• and combinations of renovations with added new buildings.

After careful consideration of the design and the cost factors, the School Building Committee voted for a combination of renovation and new construction.  The chosen option meets the educational needs of the District, has the lowest net cost to District taxpayers and has the highest financial support from the MSBA. Basic repairs and the Code Upgrade Only options do not meet the educational program.

The Nauset Regional School Committee continues to make a commitment to maintaining school choice. The MSBA looks at the historical Program of Studies and enrollment. After study by the MSBA and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), they project future enrollment. The MSBA developed a school building sizing plan to serve 905 students which is a condition for financial support for this project.

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.”

CHA Consulting, Inc. is the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) whose responsibility is to serve as the focal point of management and communication and oversee all parties working on the project, develop and monitor the project budget and schedule, and provide oversight throughout the design and construction phases on behalf of the School District and district taxpayers.

After carefully reviewing MSBA eligible architects/designers, Flansburgh Architects was selected.  The architect’s role during the Feasibility Phase of the process is to assist the district develop their educational program through educational visioning workshops, generate an initial space summary, document existing conditions, establish design parameters, develop and evaluate alternatives, and provide preliminary costs of the various design alternatives. A singular preferred option is recommended to the MSBA Board of Directors for their consideration.

The architect’s role during the Schematic Design Phase of the process is to develop in greater detail the Preferred Option approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.  Deliverables generated for the Schematic Design Binder by the architect and design consultants include design narratives and building massing studies, sustainable design narratives, building system narratives, construction phasing strategies, a final educational space template, and supplemental geotechnical and/or survey findings at the existing site. 

Students will have the same program of studies delivered by the same educational staff throughout the project. Portable classrooms will be used, so that there is continuity in the education of the students. Areas under construction will be separated from school operations and the project will be phased to ensure the least amount of disruption to education.

The community will have access to the facility beyond the classroom day as well as the classroom year. Programs beyond the academic program for students will be encouraged. A pool will not be part of the project because the MSBA will not fund a school with a new pool.

A school that will provide quality educational opportunities for all community children and grandchildren. Graduates who can contribute to the local community both economically and as engaged, educated citizens. Strong schools yield strong communities.

The building has been well maintained. In 2012 the District commissioned a review (known as “the Habeeb Report”) of the existing conditions at the middle and high schools. Based on that study the District has had a regular program of preventative maintenance to all District buildings. In fact, after the MSBA reviewed the condition and maintenance history of the high school they awarded the District a reimbursement bonus of 1.49% (out of a maximum of 2%) based on the maintenance program.

That option did not meet the needs of the Nauset Regional High School’s educational program.

Yes. The Nauset Regional School Committee determines the budget for appropriate maintenance.