North Reading: At the Front of the Line or Out of the Line?
Videos
North Reading is no stranger to state reimbursement for school construction projects. However, since our elementary schools were renovated, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has significantly changed how it funds schools projects in cities and towns in Massachusetts.
In the past, a town decided on a project and applied for reimbursement from the MSBA. Under current guidelines, a town must partner with the MSBA from the beginning of the process – from the MSBA accepting the town’s project as a priority to working together on the size and type of project. North Reading has completed this rigorous process with the MSBA, which has approved the currently proposed project, a middle school and high school with joint core facilities.
North Reading voters now have 120 days from the MSBA’s sign off in January to approve the project before the MSBA’s commitment ends and it moves on to fund the next project on its list – in another town. That’s why Rep. Brad Jones, Jr. says it’s a choice between the “front of the line or out of the line” for North Reading.
The $47 million of funding from the MSBA comes from your tax dollars, as one penny of every 6.25 cents of state sales tax goes toward school construction. In recent months, voters approved schools in Duxbury, Wilmington, and many other towns. Where will your tax dollars go next – to improving our own schools or to building schools in other cities and towns? Let’s bring our tax dollars back to North Reading to support our students, staff, and show North Reading pride.
Ed Canney
2:57 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Seemed a bit rehearsed last night at the Selectman's meeting.
If I heard correctly, 107,800,000 less the State reimbursement for the warrant. So what is the State reimbursement? Appears to be open ended. What's the significance of a waste treatment plant for more than the schools? Who will cover the cost and maintenance of a waste treatment plant ?
I realize there are passions to bring this project to fruition. But Its incumbent on the sponsorship to provide all concerns with accurate answers.
Honestly, to all who are for or against, I was appalled at the advertised meeting to discuss this issue by the Selectman. It was orchestrated and insulting to the public. Shame on you!!
Honestly, we need a vigilant press to provide answers.We obviously don't have ANY! Is this how we conduct government in North reading?
Are there double sessions alluded to last night? Tear down the HS for what, two years. Where do the students of the HS and the Middle School go for 2 years?? Not correct information provided by the Selectman as to the total impact of the project. Seems that when I was a Selectman, I was held to a higher standard by accurate news reporting. This approach is not only demeaning to the residents of North Reading, but unethical. Sorry but that's my opinion based on the proponents diatribe.
Invest in North Reading
3:24 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Ed --
Last night's session was a public informational hearing advertised by the Board of Selectmen. All members of the public were welcome to ask their questions and share input. As I'm sure you saw, some citizens who spoke asked specific questions about engineering and other features of the project.
There were no double sessions discussed last night, nor have they been discussed at any point in the project. The new core facilities and high school classrooms will be added to the Middle School, during which time students will remain in their respective schools. Once the new HS and core are complete, the HS students will move in and the Middle School students will use the current high school building for one year until the entire facility is finished. The plan requires no double sessions or relocation outside of North Reading.
We urge you to take the questions you have asked on Patch and in the Transcript letters directly to the committees who can best answer them. The SSBC is meeting tonight, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the modular cafeteria at the High School; it is an excellent open forum in which to address your concerns.
Mel Webster
7:09 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Ed -- Hope these facts help you:
North Reading will receive between $47.1 and $49.3 million, All of the details are available at the MSBA website: http://www.massschoolbuildings.org/sites/default/files/edit-contentfile/2012%20Board%20Meetings/January%2025,%202012/North%20Reading%20M-HS%20PSB%20Board%20Memo.pdf
North Reading's share of this project will be approximately $60 million, but could be less if we end up getting the $49.3 million from the state.
Not sure from where the discussion of double sessions comes from, as there will be no double sessions.
The old high school will not be torn down until the entire project is completed. The initial phase of the project will be construction of the new high school classroom building and the shared core facilities. Once that is completed, high school students will move into the new building, and middle school students will use the old high school for one year to allow for the addition to and complete renovation of the middle school. Once that is complete, the middle school students will move back to the new middle school, the high school will be demolished, and the athletic fields and parking will be completed on the old high school site.
All of the information for this project has been presented numerous times at public forums and many other meetings throughout the town. I would guess that there have been well more than 100 meetings to present the information.
Jerrilyn
12:27 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
So - If I'm understanding this correctly, the BOS holding a public open discussion to answer any public questions about the school building project was appalling? How does the BOS insult the public by offering an open session to answers the residents of North Reading questions? I did attend that meeting. Sean Delaney clearly articulated, (as has always been reported ), that Middle School and High School students would not have to leave the school campus while the project was built as was the case in the Batch project.
Jerrilyn
7:44 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Just to be clear, when I say, while the project is built, I am referring to an new High School/renovated middle school project. If the MSBA/SSBC proposed project were to not
pass, then there is NO way to define at this moment in time how the band-aid project would effect where and how the kids were campuses while those renovations took place.
Ed Canney
10:09 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
This is very much a public debate. The issue of double sessions would be obvious. It has been publicly stated the HS will be demolished and the MS will be renovated, most recently at the Selectman's meeting. There was NO mention of leaving the HS until a new one is constructed. This is the first I have heard that the HS will be left until the new school is built. Very informative information, but not well known.
I'm truly amazed that when anyone publicly responds to what has been publicly said(and in this case unsaid), the mantra is to suggest one not ask questions in a public forum. It is incumbent upon public officials to respond to citizens inquiry
With an override of this magnitude, there will & should be a healthy public debate. Seems a bit thin skinned to in effect say: don't publicly ask any questions, especially from the Patch...a public forum.
Mr Delaney twice said Monday the MSBA would not cover the "septic system" until he was corrected by Steve O'Leary. Not a septic system but a "waste treatment plant". The SSBC, Selectman, School Committee and the North Reading Patch should welcome any and all public inquiries relating to this project, whether they like them or not.
Mel Webster
7:10 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
There will be a wastewater treatment plant at the new school that is not reimbursable by the state.
Ed Canney
10:45 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
As to the March 6th meeting of the SSBC that the Patch alludes I should attend...I teach a Construction Supervisor License class at a local Vocational School 3 nights a week and Saturdays. My inability to attend their meetings should not be an issue. I rely on the Patch and other publications to report and inform not only me, but all residents as to the scope of this project. I don't think that is a lot to ask.
Gina Mclaughlin
1:51 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
As a resident and tax payer in North Reading I make time to know what is going on around town. When the SSBC held two informational forums about the secondary schools building project I made sure I attended BOTH so I could be informed about this very important and needed project. I do not take to public forums to rant about what I do not know. When I have a question about the project I send an email to a member of the SSBC and I receive an answer, it may not be the answer you want, but they will answer any and all questions.
It has been publicized over and over that there will NOT be any relocation during construction. It has been publicized over and over that once the new high school is built and the students move into then the middle school studetns will move into the old high school while the middle school is renovated. It has been publicized over and over that our students will not be bussed elsewhere like they were during the Batch project.
Ed Canney
4:53 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Over and over Gina, good for you. You went to two meetings. But the PUBLIC DISCUSSION has never dealt with the issue. There are 14,000 residents of North Reading...how many did you see at these meetings? My point is from what was published...tear down the HS, so where do the students go? Only by asking, have I received an answer. The PR from the SSBC and the School Committee is very poor on the various issues. By asking one is vilified as not in favor of this project. I'm at this point UNDECIDED! I just want answers. The Selectman said the Middle School would be renovated during school vacations. So your point to as to how they are moved may be suspect. Perhaps there are more informational meetings to answer your questions?
Do you realize how demeaning it is to have questions...but then told "you must go to the meetings of the SSBC"! We are talking about $750 per year for 25 years! That's real money.
I want answers, and I want them NOW! I have to decide this issue by March 19th, so excuse me for wanting details.
Pam
5:33 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
I have to disagree. The details of this project have been very well publicized by both public discussion and written published material. The North Reading Transcript has covered this project in great detail. The Secondary School Building Committee has been offering public information sessions since last fall. They have a website with all of the information. A presentation was done at the October Town Meeting where they described in detail, the steps of the project including how, when, and where, the students would need to move during construction. All meetings were recorded and could be viewed on our local cable channel. Through both written, published and public forums, I have learned everything I need to know to make my decision. Thank you to the Patch, Transcript, Norcam, and SSBC for keeping me informed!
Christina S.
9:51 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
How have our residents made decisions about pivotal town issues prior to this school building project? To read certain comments here, as well as in the Transcript and elsewhere, you’d think that this school project just materialized out of thin air. Prior to the advent of the Patch, in a town with only a weekly newspaper (and a good one at that), it would seem a wonder that anyone was able to find answers to important questions. Well, with the system of government we have here, you have to use the resources at hand and get involved. Call your selectmen, contact the school board, contact the school building committee, and pay attention when members of these groups meet or host special forums. If you have internet/email access, so much the better. There’s a lot of valuable info available, updated frequently. I’d advise anyone who feels they’ve been “demeaned” or that our dedicated committee members are attempting to obfuscate the issues at hand, please go to http://investinnorthreading.org/blog/ and also www.nrssbc.org/ . You’ll get your answers. You’ll even find a link on the Invest In North Reading site that will help you calculate your cost based on your property valuation. And please don’t miss the YouTube videos showcasing an eye-opening tour of our present schools (some scary stuff there), and also testimonials from our senior citizens and students. There’s still time to cast an informed vote! The truth is out there!
Ed Canney
9:38 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Recent article in Boston Magazine. North Reading average home price is now $395,000, down 4% from last year and 7% in last five years. Arlington up 2% in last five years w/ a 100 year old HS.
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best-places-to-live-2012/single-family-homes/index.html
Ed Canney
10:30 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mel, thank you for taking the time to answer some of my questions. Your Chairman has been quite silent on these issues.
Ed Canney
10:50 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The BOS suggested the waste treatment plant is expanded to include the housing authority, and other municipal uses in the the area. Additionally there are costs to maintain this plant.
Mel could you inform to these concerns?