New Saugus High School approaches feasibility phase

SAUGUS – The Saugus High School Project Building Committee met Monday to discuss future plans as the project nears the feasibility phase – a 22-month process in which the committee will look at design work from the feasibility study, consider different locations and examine costs.The town sent a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority at the end of 2013 and was accepted into the process in January, beginning the eligibility period.While the process is underway, it’s still very much in the beginning stages. Plans will move forward pending a decision from the MSBA.The MSBA will take the building committee’s application and feasibility budget Aug. 6 and will come to a decision on the fate of the school. If all goes well, the MSBA could fund up to 85 percent of the project.”From an economic standpoint, this makes sense rather than putting money into schools that might be retired soon,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree.As part of the feasibility phase, possible locations for a new school will be examined. It is undecided where the new school should be located, but according to Crabtree it would be ideal for the new school to be built at the existing location on Pearce Memorial Drive.There are a little over 700 students enrolled at the high school. However, ensuring that the proposed school is large enough for a growing population will be a factor. A combination of a middle and high school has been under discussion by the committee and MSBA. The idea has been presented to the community and both Crabtree and Jeannie Meredith, chairman of the committee, have been pleased with the outcome.”The feedback from parents is all positive,” said Meredith. “We really value the input of our stakeholders and of the community.”The committee tossed around different ideas for ways to improve community outreach for the project. The idea to give guided tours of other schools and give the community a chance to see what they may or may not want in their school was suggested.The cost for the designs is not yet known.”The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities,” according to the organization’s website.There are different ways for communities to benefit, including additional reimbursement for schools that are considered to be “green.”In addition to the combination of a middle and high school, Saugus is considering an upper and lower elementary school rather than the multiple elementary schools currently in place.Decisions for the new school would involve a collaboration with the school board.”This is the most substantial thing we are going to do for this town,” said Crabtree. “This is going to make a big impact on our students. This is the biggest thing we’ve ever done.”