Politics & Government

Needham Approves Hillside School Feasibility Study

Though residents continue to be divided on which locations should be examined for the possible use of a new Hillside School, they voted to approve the feasibility study.

The sum of $650,000 will be appropriated for the feasibility, design and engineering services related to the renovation and/or reconstruction of the Hillside School located at 28 Glen Gary Road. The hope is that the Massachusetts School Building Authority will reimburse the town with a grant. Any costs Needham incurs in excess of such a grant approved will be the responsibility of the town.

According to the town website, Hillside Elementary School was constructed in 1960 and has had an addition and renovations over the past 40 years. However, it is still insufficient given the current enrollment numbers.

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“Hillside school is over 50 years old and in need of total renovation or replacement to address building deficiencies, to modernize the learning environment, [existing modular classrooms] and increase the capacity of the school,” said Dr. Joseph P. Barnes, chairman of the Needham School Committee. “The school is significantly undersized for its current enrollment. The calculated capacity for the original school is 261 students. The enrollment currently is 429.

Barnes also noted that the building is not handicap accessible, has no automatic sprinkler system and has blackouts from time to time because of its energy inefficiencies.

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Needham Public Schools have filed a statement of interest with the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which is the first step in the process of requesting state reimbursement for a construction project. Appropriation of these funds does not guarantees that Massachusetts School Building Authority will approve the project. If not accepted by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the funds would not be spent. By receiving these funds at Special Town Meeting, Needham can now look at the pros and cons of building the facility in different areas in town while waiting for the Massachusetts School Building Authority to approve or reject the plan.

Barnes noted, however, that the School Committee is “cautiously optimistic” on their inclusion in the program. If they are not accepted, a new plan will be drawn up and they would consider the town doing the work on their own.

The main argument over the feasibility study concerns the inclusion of Cricket Field, which is under the jurisdiction of Needham Parks and Recreation. A group known as Save Cricket Field is opposing study of the location, while other town residents are advocates of its inclusion. To address these issues, public meetings will be held by the Permanent Public Building Committee who is organizing the feasibility study.

Under the proposed schedule, a new Hillside School would open in September of 2019.


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