At the October 2017 Special Town Meeting, Town Meeting Members will consider a request from the Needham School Committee to fund an expansion and renovation project at Needham High School where current and projected enrollment exceed the school's design capacity. The project, totaling $14.2 million, will address three critical needs at the high school:
• Expands core academic classroom space to address significant overcrowding;
• Renovates the original "A" Gym to repair several infrastructure problems and to meet growing school and community program needs; and
• Replaces non-operational HVAC equipment.
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| View of High School Classroom Expansion from Webster St. |
The classroom expansion component constructs a new ten-classroom wing at the Webster entry to the school. The new wing will also include much needed conference, office, and storage space. Several existing spaces within the high school would also be renovated to meet special education and student program needs.
The second component of this project would renovate the 1950s era "A" Gym, including the replacement or refurbishment of the floor, ceiling/lights, ventilation system, and walls; scoreboards and hoops would be replaced and/or relocated as appropriate. Additionally, the project adds much needed equipment storage to the gym area to meet the demand for one of the largest interscholastic athletic programs in the state.
The third portion of the project improves boiler efficiency and replaces the defunct 300-ton chiller with two 250-ton chillers to provide adequate HVAC to the entire building.
If Town Meeting appropriates the funds for this construction project, work will begin next February 2018 and continue throughout the spring and summer; the expansion and renovations will be ready for the start of school next fall.
All three components of this one project will meet the needs of the high school for many, many years to come. Students and teachers will have additional and appropriate space in which to learn and teach, and the building's infrastructure and systems will meet the growing enrollment and demand for services.
For more information about the project: Frequently Asked Questions about the Needham High School Expansion Project