Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree Announces Saugus Middle-High School Topping Off Ceremony on Friday, April 12, 2019
(Saugus, MA) April 3, 2019 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree, the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, and the Saugus High School Project Building Committee are pleased to invite Saugus children, residents, Town and State officials, employees, and business owners to attend a topping off ceremony to celebrate the raising of the last steel beam on the brand-new, grades 6-12 MSBA Saugus Middle-High School.
The ceremony for this historic construction milestone will take place on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Saugus Middle-High construction site, located on Pearce Memorial Drive. All guests should park in the Upper Parking Lot, located to the left as you enter Pearce Memorial Drive. Guests will be directed to a clearly delineated walking path from the Upper Lot, through Gate A, and around the building to the Route One side.
Upon arrival attendees will be given the opportunity to sign their name on the building’s last steel beam, painted white, which will be erected following a brief ceremony. The beam will be adorned with an American flag and a tree, a custom that celebrates the construction process and is viewed as the first introduction of the building to the public.
“The Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, the School Building Committee, and I are thrilled to invite the community to attend this topping off ceremony for our brand-new Saugus Middle-High School,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “I encourage children, parents, Town and State officials, Town Meeting members, and residents to visit the site of our future Saugus Middle-High School on Friday, April 12th and help us celebrate this historic milestone in this exciting project that will dramatically benefit the community and its residents for decades to come.”
Construction on the brand-new Middle-High School began last summer. Since then, approximately 5,100 pieces of steel weighing roughly 1,781 tons (or 3.56 million pounds) have been erected, approximately 14,600 cubic yards of concrete have been placed, roughly 22,000 square feet of roofing has been installed, and more than 85,000 labor-hours have been worked.
“I’m excited beyond belief to see this vision becoming a reality,” School Committee and Building Committee Chair Jeannie Meredith said. “I can’t thank the community enough for their continued support. It’s been a long time since the kids of Saugus were put first. This new, grades 6-12 MSBA Middle-High School and district-wide master plan solution is putting Saugus back on the map.”
An overwhelming majority of Saugus residents voted to support a new, 21st century education plan and Middle-High School and district-wide master plan solution that will continue to prioritize education within the community. Following the 71% approval vote on the new Middle-High School, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) awarded the Town a grant of up to $63.8 million to build the school, which will change the way education is delivered and help the school district achieve its goal to become a top-rated, Level 1 school district in Massachusetts.
When complete, the new Middle-High School complex will total 270,000 total square feet, including a 12,000 square-foot gymnasium and capacity for 1,360 students in grades 6-12. It will house state-of-the-art science labs and technology classrooms, fine and performing arts classrooms and a 750-seat auditorium. In addition, plans include a new sports complex and outdoor track, walking paths, outdoor classrooms, and student gardens.
This district-wide master plan solution also calls for renovations to Belmonte Middle School and Veterans Memorial Elementary School. Following renovations, Belmonte will be established as an Upper Elementary School for grades 3-5; and Veterans will become a Lower Elementary School for pre-K to grade 2.
Overall, the new, 21st century education plan and Middle-High School district-wide master plan solution will:
Facilitate the School District’s goal of moving from a Level 3 to a Level 1 school district.
Allow the School District to provide fair and equal access to all students enabling them to reach their highest potential and to continue to prioritize education.
Maintain accreditation with New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Address health and safety issues including identified deficiencies in fire protection, sprinkler systems, and ADA accessibility, ensuring that children are in the safest and most secure schools.
“This new school, education plan, and district-wide vision will transform the way education is valued within this community. Most importantly, it will provide equal, equitable opportunities for students to access educational resources and reach their highest potential,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “We hope everyone will join us on Friday, April 12 to celebrate this enormous, historic milestone. This is a tremendous credit to Town officials and the residents of Saugus in supporting and investing in our children and educational system.”
For more information on the project, contact the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.
About The Town of Saugus
The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.
Follow Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree on Twitter and Instagram at @scottccrabtree, and visit his blog at www.saugustownmanager.tumblr.com.
About the MSBA
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over 1,600 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $11.5 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects.
For more information about the MSBA, visit www.massschoolbuildings.org.
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