FAQs

The Massachusetts School Building Authority ("MSBA") is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy-efficient schools across Massachusetts.

The project is currently working through the Feasibility phase (MSBA Module 3) which will carry into the Schematic Design phase ( MSBA Module 4).  During these phases, the project team will study all renovation, addition/renovation, and new construction options on multiple potential sites throughout Hamilton & Wenham.  Once options are created for consideration, cost estimates will be applied to each option so the HWSRD School Building Committee can select a preferred option.  Once a preferred option is selected and a Schematic Design level estimate is created, the project will go to Town Meetings for a vote and then a Ballot Vote in the Spring of 2025.  If the preferred building option selected passes, the building design will continue through 2025 into 2026 when construction is anticipated to begin.  Construction is expected to take roughly 24 months to complete which would allow the building to be occupied for the 2028 – 2029 school year.  This timeline will continue to be adjusted as the project advances through the various phases and submissions.

During the Feasibility phase, the HWRSD brought an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) and a project Designer on board.  The OPM selected is PMA Consultants and the designer is JCJ Architects.  This will be the project team through Feasibility and Schematic Design.

The project Designer is JCJ Architecture.  JCJ has a team of designers, consultants, and engineers that will design the building which will include site work and landscaping, all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (sprinkler) systems, and all interior finishes. The design of the school will be defined by the HWRSD education plan created by the district’s educators.  The project will also hold many community forums which will allow for the community to get involved and ask questions. 

The project team is working with the HWRSD to identify any potential sites in Hamilton and Wenham where a potential elementary school could be built.  This includes studying the existing school locations and reviewing potential new locations which will inform the Design team’s building options.  These options must include renovation options, addition/renovation options, and new construction options.  These options will be submitted to the MSBA for their review as a part of the Preliminary Design Program (PDP)

The purpose of the Preliminary Design Program is to define the programmatic, functional, spatial, and environmental requirements of the educational facility necessary to meet the district’s educational program and perform the review and investigation required to clearly define the existing building deficiencies. Based upon a review of the district’s educational program, the designer will identify and prepare in written and graphic form for review, clarification, and agreement regarding the educational goals and programmatic space needs for the subject school. The space needs along with an evaluation of existing conditions and site development requirements will form the basis of the designer’s recommendation for an evaluation of alternatives upon which the most educationally appropriate and cost-effective solution may be recommended.

The purpose of the Preferred Schematic Report is to summarize the process and conclusions of the Preliminary and Final Evaluation of Alternatives and substantiate and document the district’s selection and recommendation of a preferred solution. The report should address all concerns and questions raised by the MSBA during its review of the Preliminary Design Program and identify any changes incorporated by the district based on further evaluations and considerations.

Some factors to consider in deciding between new construction and an addition/renovation include:

• New construction is more costly than a renovation or addition plus renovation.
• An addition plus renovation may be more environmentally friendly if it creates less demolition waste by reusing large parts of an existing building.
• An addition plus renovation would have less impact on athletics because playing fields would largely be maintained, whereas new construction would likely take the space of existing playing fields.
• A newly constructed building would have a shorter construction timeline than a comprehensive addition plus renovation project.
• New construction would have a limited impact on academics during construction. While any renovation would be phased to minimize disruption, renovations are inherently complicated and disruptive.
• The phased approach of an addition/renovation project would also drive a longer construction timeline than would a new building.
• Once open, a newly constructed building would be more efficient to operate than an addition/renovation, with fewer break/fix activities and more routine maintenance.

The MSBA process requires equal emphasis on all design options (including the Cutler addition/renovation option) to be considered by the School Building Committee during the Preferred Schematic Design phase.  The School Building Committee will objectively evaluate the design options using the same criteria including, but not limited to, educational appropriateness to support the Educational Program, cost and schedule, community use, site and building layouts.

During the Feasibility and Schematic design phases, the designer will review all potential sustainable building options that are fiscally responsible.  This includes studying potential Net Zero building systems. 

With the project team formed for the Feasibility and Schematic Design phases, multiple visioning sessions with school faculty and students will take place over the next year.  During this time the project team will also be holding Community Forums to keep the Hamilton and Wenham residents informed.  These forums will also allow the community to ask questions and get involved!  The project team will also be making appearances at Hamilton-Wenham community events so keep an eye out for a HWRSD School Building Project booth. The project website will also be updated with project information and schedule updates so the community can stay up to date as the project progresses.

The Cutler Elementary School Project may serve all three schools within the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District.  When applying for State funding from the MSBA, one of the schools must be selected as the basis of the project.  When the District submitted the Statement of Interest (SOI) to the MSBA, it was decided that the Cutler ES would be the basis of the project.  The project team will be reviewing Cutler, Winthrop, and Buker to understand what the district’s needs are so that the building project can be designed to the correct grade configuration and student enrollment.  The project team will continue to update the District throughout the Feasibility Study on what options are being considered.  For the purposes of community outreach and discussions, the project will be referred to as the Hamilton-Wenham Elementary School project.  For all MSBA submissions, the project will still need to be called the Cutler ES project since that is what the Statement of Interest submitted to the MSBA called the project.  When Hamilton-Wenham votes to approve the project funding in April 2025, the School Committee can vote to change the name of the project to match the name of the new school.  The name of the school can remain Cutler ES if that is what the School Committee/District decides.

All school facilities were originally constructed in the 1950s, with the exception of the Miles River Middle School constructed in 1999. Various renovations and expansions have been completed over the lifetime of the buildings. The last major expansion in the district was at the Cutler School in 1992.

As facility infrastructure ages, disturbances to the learning environment become more prevalent.

• Not fully ADA-compliant
• Water leaks throughout the building
• Heating & ventilation is inadequate
• Windows in fair to poor condition throughout the building
• Exterior trim, bricks, windows, and doors need to be replaced or repointed
• Restrooms do not have adequate clearances and fixture heights
• Electrical service underrated
• No backup generator
• Most plumbing fixtures are original
• The modular wing is past its useful life with rot and leaks

It is our sincere hope that we all can work in concert to address the many deficiencies in the public school facilities.  For more information about the conditions of the Hamilton-Wenham Elementary School Buildings please find the Statement of Interest submitted to the MSBA here (Cutler School SOI 2021, Winthrop School SOI 2021) and the State of our School Facilities study completed in 2022 found here (State of our School Facilities)

-The project team of PMA and JCJ were just contracted with the district to begin studying different building options (renovation, addition/renovation, or a new building), and will be looking at all potential sites throughout both Hamilton and Wenham.  Once a building site and option is selected, cost estimates will be completed.  At this time the cost of the project is unknown.

Hamilton & Wenham will vote at their April 5, 2025, Town Meetings and again at the Ballot Vote to approve funds for the project through a Proposition 2 ½ override.  At the April 5, 2025 Town Meeting, the District and project team will have selected a preferred building design, and location, and will have a cost estimate for that option. 

At this time the project cost has not been determined so it is not known what the State’s contribution will be.  Currently, the MSBA has approved a reimbursement rate of 47.63%.  This reimbursement rate is subject to change as the building design progresses.  The district can earn additional reimbursement points through the following categories: Newly Formed Regional District, Major Reconstruction or Reno/Reuse, Overlay Zoning 40R & 40S, Energy Efficiency – “Green Schools”.  Not all of these additional incentive points will be applicable to this project.  The district will know what the MSBA contribution is when a Project Scope and Budget Agreement is executed in 2025 (if the project funding is approved by both towns)

]Town Meetings and Ballot Votes will occur in April of 2025.  Project updates and community outreach events will occur up until that date so all residents in Hamilton and Wenham have the opportunity to stay informed and involved throughout the entire process.

Read the complete question HERE

ASHRAE 241, released in July 2023, will be assessed by the project team during the design phase to ensure compliance with the applicable state building codes and the applicable MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) Project Advisories. Should the Hamilton-Wenham Elementary School Building Committee opt to incorporate Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) design elements beyond the code and/or MSBA mandated requirements, it may result in additional design and construction expenses that could be deemed ineligible for reimbursement by the MSBA. The project team remains committed to evaluating and incorporating all building standards to align with the District's requirements.

As of the District's acceptance into the MSBA Feasibility Study, it is currently not feasible to modify item #5 on the Statement of Interest (SOI). No alterations can be made to the SOI once approved by the MSBA. As previously mentioned, the project team will assess and implement any necessary IAQ measures to satisfy building code specifications.