MASH Referendum: Proposed projects will touch every part of building

On April 6, voters in the Medford school district will be asked to vote on a proposed $39.9 million referendum project to renovate and expand the high school building.

After months of discussions, the board had moved forward with renovations and repairs of the existing high school. Board members determined that an entirely new high school would be economically unfeasible for the district. A new structure would have an estimated cost of more than double the proposed referendum on the low side with additional costs beyond that as the district would have to do something with the old building. Board members felt it was more realistic to pursue renovations of the existing building to prepare it for its next 50 years of use.

After being narrowly rejected by voters in November, the board voted to bring it back to voters at the April election with the hope that giving more time will allow voters to learn about the project more. State law limits when school boards can hold referendum votes. With no fall election scheduled for 2021, the district would have had to wait until 2022 to bring any question back to voters.

According to Ken Turba, a project leader with Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA), and graduate of Medford Area Senior High (MASH), the referendum project addresses the following issues in the school: Improving security - This includes building out a new front office area that will provide more monitored access to the building as well as connecting the tech ed building to the main building. Currently those entering the building do so into the main hallway with easy access to the entire building. The project would seek to have that access point more controlled. In addition, it would reconfigure and expand the office space area to include spaces for such things as when law enforcement, attorneys or social service agencies need to talk with students. Connecting the technology education building to the main building has been a desire of the district for some time. Students currently have to walk outside to go to classes there creating a risk point for students as the doors between the two buildings must be unlocked between classes. In addition, during inclement weather there is additional maintenance from students tracking rain or snow into the buildings.

The project seeks $2.7 million for security upgrades. Security upgrades had been among the highest ranking items in a community survey done about the high school needs.

Upgrading building infrastructure — Replacing decaying plumbing and electrical service is not very flashy when it comes to asking for public investments, but it is essential for the smooth operation of the building. The project includes $6.2 million to upgrade these major infrastructure areas. The district took steps in past projects to upgrade portions of the heating and ventilation system, but as any student or staff member who has spent time in the building knows there are still significant areas that have issues with some classrooms very warm and others very cold. The project would include revamping and updating this system. In addition, it would address the replacement of water lines in the building. After decades of use, the pipe system in the building is decaying leading to breaks. The district is spending significant time and money patching and replacing sections that break. A replacement of the water lines is a major project impacting all areas of the building.

Expanding education spaces — The lions’ share of the referendum project includes the construction of additional classrooms for science and technology programs. According to administrator Pat Sullivan, the district’s engineering programs are growing and need more space to provide students with skills that are in high demand in the workplace.

New educational spaces are specifically needed for STEAM programs. STEAM is an instructional approach that blends Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/ Agriculture, and Math skills to prepare students for life after high school. Current educational practice emphasizes the need to problem solve versus the outdated instruction where students sat in rows and a teacher lectured them in specific curriculum. In today’s post-secondary institutions and careers, collaborating to solve problems is a required skill set.

In other parts of the building, the existing spaces will be heavily renovated to meet current and future educational needs. This also includes the addition of a new theater as the Red/White Theater space will be converted into a new library area and additional physical education space which will be used for practices as well as community use. The project includes $29.3 million for educational upgrades throughout the building.

Upgrading the cafeteria and commons — This will allow for expanded space and serving areas to improve efficiency in the cafeteria and provide common spaces. The project includes $1.7 million for these improvements.