Saugus School Building Committee Conducts Site Visit at New Middle-High School Amidst Construction Milestones
Members of the School Building Committee toured the new Middle-High School recently. Clockwise from the top right: Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree, School Committee/Building Committee Chairwoman Jeannie Meredith, School Committee member Marc Magliozzi, Saugus High School Principal Mike Hashem, Tina Stanislaski of HMFH Architects, Patrick DeBenedetto of Suffolk Construction, Noah Manacas of Suffolk Construction, Selectman Mark Mitchell, Selectmen Vice-Chairman Jeffrey Cicolini, School Committee member Linda Gaieski, Selectmen Chairwoman Debra Panetta, Town Meeting member Christine Moreschi, Selectman Jennifer D’Eon, Town Meeting member Steve Horlick, Town Accountant Donna Matarazzo, Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, and Richard Magnan.
(Saugus, MA) October 30, 2019 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and Saugus Middle-High School Project Building Committee Chairwoman Jeannie Meredith are pleased to announce that members of the School Building Committee conducted a site visit and walk-through of the Town’s new grades 6-12 Middle-High School last week, amidst several construction milestones.
The School Building Committee had the opportunity to learn about and observe firsthand the construction progress on the new school during their visit on Monday, October 21, 2019. Members walked through and admired the formation of various academic spaces, including middle and high school academic pods, the blackbox theater, the media center, the gymnasium, tech labs, the auditorium, the administration area, cafeterias, forum stairs, a fitness center/alternate physical education space, the lightwell, skylights, and much more.
Approximately 60% of construction is complete since work began on the project last summer. The building envelope is nearing completion and the majority of the remaining work is related to interior finishes. Recently, the construction team successfully installed 20 rooftop units and skylights throughout the structure. The building’s drywall and framing is almost finished, upon which time other trades will begin detailed interior work. The project team has also begun work on the building’s hardscape.
“One year ago, the Building Committee toured the Middle-High School project site and admired the extensive site work, concrete placement, and first series of erected steel beams. Last week, the Committee was able to appreciate the project’s impressive progress,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “It is extremely exciting to see the community’s vision become a reality after years of collaborating and working together with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the School Building Committee, School District, the residents of Saugus, and our project team.”
The Town of Saugus has partnered the MSBA and a highly qualified team of project managers, architects, and construction managers-at-risk to construct a grades 6-12, new Middle-High School. Throughout the past several years, the Town has completed the following MSBA-required phases: Eligibility Period, Forming the Project Team, Feasibility Study, Schematic Design Phase, Funding the Project, and Detailed Design.
Saugus is currently in the Construction Phase (Module 7 of 8) of the project with the MSBA. During this phase, the community will continue to collaborate with the MSBA to report on the progress of the project, while remaining on schedule and within budget. The new school is slated for completion in the summer of 2020.
Construction began on the site following a groundbreaking ceremony on July 17, 2018, which was attended by local and state officials, representatives from the MSBA, Town employees, the project team, and hundreds of Saugus residents.
“I am so proud of the progress we are making on the construction of our new Middle-High School,” said School Committee and School Building Committee Chairwoman. “I am incredibly impressed with the construction team, which has consistently been on-task, on-schedule, and on-budget. I want to thank our project team for extending the invitation to the full Building Committee to view this monumental progress, and for their continued transparency and thoroughness throughout this process.”
The Town also recently announced that the taxpayers of Saugus will benefit from a $3.5 million savings in bonds borrowing for the new Middle-High School and other important community capital investment projects due to the Town of Saugus’ solid financial standing and AA+/Stable S&P Bond Rating. The Town received competitive bids from eight financial institutions/agencies for a $49,283,000 30-year bond issue. The winning bid was offered by Bank of America Merrill Lynch with an interest rate of 2.62%. Bank of America Merrill Lynch offered the Town of Saugus a premium of $3,548,000 net after issuance costs, reducing the loan to $45,735,000 and resulting in a savings of $3.5 million for the residents of Saugus.
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.
“Our new Middle-High School, in connection with the school district’s new 21st century education plan, is on track to be a 21st century facility that will assist the school district in changing the way they deliver education within the community,” concluded Town Manager Crabtree.
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.
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