Facts And Myths

• No legitimate renovation/addition option has been put before the town for public consideration. The $175 million Forum option presented at the April 2008 Annual Town Meeting was overbuilt and invalid from the beginning. The rationale for that extensive gut-rehab was acknowledged by the School Building Committee as “not necessary,” as reported in The Wellesley Townsman, June 26, 2008.

• At their July 9, 2008 meeting, the School Building Committee rejected the renovation/addition approach that had been proposed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). At that meeting, Wellesley’s own architects said that using more of the existing building would result in project costs coming down. The proposal never received town-wide consideration.

• Since July, the School Building Committee has opted to take a fast-track approach to promote their proposal for a box-like structure based on elements of the model Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.

Last April, the School Building Committee told Town Meeting Members that the 327,000 square foot new Hub or the overbuilt gut-rehab Forum at 343,000 square feet was needed to meet educational requirements. Now we are being told that the proposed 280,000 square foot new building would satisfy the educational program. This contradiction calls into question the credibility of the School Building Committee. The proposal to introduce into Wellesley a cookie-cutter structure casts doubt on the judgment of the School Building Committee. Wellesley has reached a dead-end on this project with the threat of tearing down an iconic building of exceptionally high quality and being left with an inferior one.

MYTH: A renovation/addition cannot satisfy Wellesley’s educational needs nor can it be done cost effectively.

FACT: A renovation/addition can satisfy all educational requirements while preserving the current structure and by reducing project costs by as much as one third over building new.

MYTH: A new high school building is a “done deal.”

FACT: The School Building Committee has tried to make it seem like a “done deal” by refusing to present a legitimaterenovation/addition option for town-wide consideration. It will be up to the town to make the final decision in a town-wide referendum on Tuesday, December 9, 2008.

MYTH: Wellesley will lose its place in line for reimbursement if it opts for renovation/addition.

FACT: A highly placed representative of the MSBA has stated that if the proposal is voted down, “Everything will be reviewed, including the voting results, and every situation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.” There is no indication Wellesley will lose its place.

MYTH: The Massachusetts School Building Authority will not support funding for a renovation/addition of Wellesley High School.

FACT: Renovation/reuse options have been encouraged by the MSBA. Funding reserved for Wellesley can be used for this purpose.

MYTH: Site issues, including wetlands, have been thoroughly investigated.

FACT: Many questions about the site, and particularly about wetlands, remain unanswered. Respect for wetlands should be a priority. (See “The Worst Problem” insert.)

MYTH: The School Building Committee has developed a practical plan for high school parking during the proposed five-year construction period.

FACT: The School Building Committee’s parking plan is unwieldy. A phased renovation/addition approach would minimize parking problems and would eliminate the need for spending $2 million on parking, sidewalk/traffic mitigation.

MYTH: Building new is less disruptive to education than renovation.

FACT: Noise, dust, pollution, and other hazards involved in a five-year construction project would be felt at Wellesley High School while classes are in session. A phased renovation/addition can be accomplished during the summer months.

MYTH: The 1938 high school building is not green nor can it be made green.

FACT: The 1938 building is structurally sound. Architects have said it has unlimited
potential for incorporating and
maximizing the benefits of green
initiatives. As architects say, “The greenest building is the one you have.” A renovation/addition approach will conserve valuable resources and eliminate the $5 million demolition cost.

WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE

• Develop a legitimate renovation/addition option as part of a master plan with a view towards upgrading the existing High School and the entire campus.

• Update and improve the existing 1938 High School building along with its serviceable and renewable additions.

• Implement a maintenance schedule that will prevent the unacceptable neglect that the School Committee and the Town have allowed to occur over the years.

• Make the building green with thermally efficient doors and windows, and environ-mentally suitable cooling and heating systems.

• Make any necessary adaptations for technology.

• Modernize the auditorium with new lighting, sound systems, and backstage improvements.

• Renovate, update, and expand the 1956 wing. This three-storied addition was designed to accommodate a fourth floor for additional classrooms.

• Recondition the Wilbury Crockett Library, the 1938 and Larsson gymnasiums, locker rooms, and cafeteria.

Many of these improvements were previously included in a renovation/addition option
developed by the project architects at two thirds the cost of the current proposal. This option made full use of the existing high school but was never presented as a choice to the town.