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	PRESERVATION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS III (The Wellesley Townsman – 03/15/07) The Wellesley High School Preservation Committee continues to raise the awareness of Wellesley residents of the important reasons for preserving and restoring our historic 1938 Wellesley High School building with its 1978 Wilbury Crockett Library. We shall continue to provide information and respond to frequently asked questions as a part of the planning for this important project. Here is another set of Q & A’s: Q. In the 2007 Advisory Report, the Advisory Committee writes under Article 25 (p. 82), “The role of the new SBC (School Building Committee) and other various Town boards will require a new level of communication and coordination. In addition, the elected and appointed members of these boards must remember to keep the Town’s citizens apprised at each step of the project, particularly in light of the need for a Town wide vote to approve funding a High School project.” Has this been done? A. No. Although the Wellesley High School Building Committee (SBC) has begun its meetings, information has not been forthcoming. Dissemination of meeting times and dates needs to be announced well in advance in a variety of media. The current meeting time of 8 AM makes it difficult for most interested parties to attend. Evenings or Saturday mornings would work better. Finally, in keeping with an open and transparent policy, the minutes of all deliberations, agendas, and other related documentation should be published in a timely manner and made available to everyone. A special SBC website should be linked to the town website, and hard copies of the proceedings should be made available at the library. Q. What can the town expect regarding the School Committee’s proposal for the Wellesley High School project under Article 25 at the upcoming Town Meeting? A. It is not clear according to the School Committee report presented in the 2007 Advisory Report (p. 128). The School Committee is asking the town to pursue the need for a feasibility study without setting forth the content or rationale of any concrete proposal. Since nothing new has been submitted, the town can only assume that Concept C, adopted by the School Committee in November 2006, remains its proposal. This Concept calls for the demolition of the Wilbury Crockett Library, the dismantling of the present auditorium to accommodate a smaller library, the relocation of the administrative offices, and the loss of the upstairs gym. Clearly this approach does not preserve our 1938 building and existing library. It is a waste of an invaluable educational and community asset. Q. The High School Program Review Advisory Committee (PRC) Report appears in the 2007 Advisory Report (p. 131). In its analysis of Wellesley High School’s future programs does it give due consideration to the educational benefits and advantages of preserving and restoring the entire 1938 building with its Wilbury Crockett Library? A. No. The PRC report suggests, on the one hand, that the School Building Committee should give consideration to “…the historical value of various aspects of the buildings…” (p.133). On the other hand, it states on the same page, “…the option of constructing a new high school on the current site should be re-examined…” These recommendations are contradictory and incomplete. They threaten the restoration and preservation of Wellesley High School in the upcoming project.

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