SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT UPDATES

Welcome to January 2023 and the official launch of activity related to the Wildwood School building project with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). As the Superintendent I will make every effort to keep both our staff and community members informed of the developments connected to this important project. It is essential to keep in mind that this project is separate from the interim solution that our school district and Town is seeking to temporary house the Wildwood School starting in the fall of 2023 through until a new school is brought online.

All information about the project will be compiled and kept on our website at https://www.wpsk12.com/our_district/district_initiatives

On the site, you will find information on such things as:

• Information on school building projects with the MSBA
• Wildwood Building Committee members
• Wildwood Building Committee meeting agendas and minutes
• Documents submitted to the MSBA in relation to the project

We are preparing to hire a project designer in the next few months and any members of the community can track the developments of this process.

In the near future there will be numerous opportunities for members of our entire community, including staff and families, to get involved in this project; this will start with envisioning our future as a school community. I expect that this educational visioning process will likely take place in May or June of this year, so please watch for more information coming soon.

Mr. Jeff Hull, Wilmington Town Manager, recently issued a newsletter in which he included a summary of the MSBA project to-date.

A significant focus continues to be placed on providing safe and functional educational space for elementary school students. On December 5th the Town’s selection of Cambridge based SMMA to serve as the owner’s project manager (OPM) was approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The OPM has expertise in public procurement and construction. They will serve as the Town’s representative to work with the architect, contractor and subcontractors as the effort to replace the Wildwood School Early Childhood Center proceeds. The first task to be undertaken by SMMA is the preparation of a request for services (RFS). The RFS describes the scope of work and qualifications required by a design firm to work with the Town in evaluating multiple options to replace the Wildwood School.

Plans call for the RFS to be advertised in late January with the selection of a design firm expected by the end of March/early April. Once the design firm is on board, public meetings will take place with the Wildwood School Building Committee to evaluate options which may include a building addition to an existing elementary school, a new standalone school and possible grade reconfiguration within elementary schools. The Town will be seeking input from residents throughout the entire process in order to arrive at a preferred option. This preferred option will be brought before a future Town Meeting for funding.

Currently efforts are underway to establish an interim plan to accommodate pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students and staff displaced from the Wildwood School due to the breach of the heating oil tank in February of 2022. Students and staff are currently spread between the High School, Shawsheen School and West Intermediate School. Seventeen different options for accommodating students and staff have been evaluated. One approach will be recommended for funding approval at the April 29, 2023 Annual Town Meeting. This interim plan is expected to provide accommodations for approximately five years if the MSBA assisted school project is approved by residents.