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FAQ
What is the Project?
A four-grade school allows for continuity of experience for students and families. Students would have one less transition and remain longer with faculty and administrators who know the student and the family. In addition, a four-grade school would allow educators to collaborate more intensively across grade levels to support vertical alignment of teaching and learning.
In a four-grade school, the architectural design would feature a learning neighborhood for each grade level where all of the classes in that grade level would be clustered. This would foster a sense of a small community within the larger community. The grade-level neighborhood would include learning commons located among the grade-level classrooms where students and educators could gather within the grade level. The learning commons would also support flexible grouping of students across grade-level classrooms also supporting a sense of belonging within the grade level. In addition, the learning communities would provide a highly inclusive environment that includes small group rooms where students might participate in small group instruction with a special educator, English Language Development teacher, or Educational Support Professional. The school would also include space in the cafetorium or gym where multiple grade levels could gather to support community connections.
From the beginning of the project, it has been a priority to ensure sustainability. A Sustainability Subcommittee was formed to consider all the options. The full Neary Building Committee has voted to support a LEED Certification. The updated Green Building Rating System by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) as of June 2023 mandates that all MSBA projects register and achieve at least Silver certification under LEED BD+C Schools. Projects must meet specific criteria for indoor air quality, and material health, and comply with the MA Stretch Energy Code. In addition, districts can qualify for extra reimbursement by exceeding energy efficiency standards, including the Massachusetts Opt-in Specialized Energy Code for 3% and achieving points in indoor air quality for up to 1%. The LEED BD+C Schools Rating System is based on LEED v4, with points from LEED v4.1 integrated as necessary. To achieve Silver certification, a project must earn at least 50 points out of 110, with LEED addressing areas like sustainable sites, energy, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality. The Neary Elementary School project in Southborough, a Stretch Code community, targets compliance with the MA Opt-in Specialized Energy Code for additional reimbursement. The project aims for net-zero energy, exploring all-electric building designs with renewable energy offsets. Various mechanical system options have been evaluated, with ground-water heat pump systems ranked highest for achieving energy efficiency targets. Sustainability goals such as wellness, resilience, and environmental impact are also prioritized. The building will be designed to handle high winds and avoid flood-prone areas. Further assessments of energy performance and design details will be conducted during the Schematic Design phase.
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 MSBA has worked closely with the District and Neary Building Committee to ensure the maximum return from the Core Building Program. We estimate that the MSBA will contribute significantly to the qualified portions of the building project.
The Neary Building Committee carefully researched all options and ultimately voted for the new construction of a School that will contain grades two through five as its preferred option.
Yes, the current Neary building will be torn down, and the new construction will be built approximately in the same location.
The project scope includes re-paving and grading the parking lot and ensuring it meets the requirements for the expected occupancy of the school and adjacent facilities.
Yes, a new playground will be incorporated into the project design.
Based on current student enrollment, Neary could accommodate three grades in its existing footprint if the District Administrative offices were not located there. Adding a fourth grade in this building would require a structural addition if we were using the existing footprint.
The District has developed a relocation plan that does not include students being onsite during construction. During construction (Summer 2026 – August 2028), Woodward will house grades 3, 4, and 5, and Finn will house PreK, 1, and 2. Modulars will be added to accommodate the additional enrollment.
The Public Schools of Southborough has a six-year facilities maintenance. This plan is part of the evaluation criteria from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), as well, when they evaluate projects seeking funding.
Our application to the MSBA was focused on Grades 2 through 5. Any project on the Neary site that we hope to receive some MSBA funding for must conform to those grades. The Neary site was chosen originally due to its central location in town, adjacency to the existing Trottier Middle School, and ability to expand the potential footprint of the structure or reconfigure the location on the site.
No, it’s the exact opposite. The Neary School has significant capital needs to remain a functioning and safe school. When this process started in 2020, there was extensive collaboration between the School District and Town to bring forward a responsible plan if an outcome of the Neary project allows for the closing of an elementary school.
Project Timeline and Cost
Our current timeline is as follows. This is subject to change and contingent on a number of steps throughout the process.
Feasibility Study – Ongoing through Fall 2024
Schematic Design – Winter 2024/2025
Seek Funding from Town – April 2025
Design Development and Public Bid Process – May 2025 to April 2026
Construction Begins – May 2026
Renovated/New School Open – August 2028
To be answered.
Questions Related to the Woodward and Finn Schools
(If Grades PreK to Grade 1 move to
Woodward from Finn)
Yes, the playground will need to be updated to meet the developmental needs of PreK-1 students.
The NBC is required to study the possibility of expansion as part of our Feasibility Study. The existing occupancy permit for the Woodward School would not allow us to have the current enrollment for these grades fit into this building without expansion. It also does not allow for any potential fluctuations in enrollment over time.
Questions Related to the Finn School
If Finn were to no longer be used as a school, it would be turned over to the Town for municipal use. A committee has done a preliminary exploration of how this could be re-purposed. The Town would need to continue this exploration.
To be answered.
Impact on School Operations
The school schedules would be simplified to two schedules: Grades PreK-1 and 2-5. This would reduce the number of transportation tiers and simplify busing for the District, caregivers, and students.
The reduction of one school facility will result in a number of operational budget savings. First, the District facilities would be reduced by one and new buildings would be designed for maximum energy efficiency. Secondly, staffing will be maximized.
Reduced Transitions: The educational plan aims to consolidate grades 2-5 into one school, reducing transitions, optimizing resources, and fostering stronger, longer-term relationships among students, caregivers, and staff.
The design includes two wings one for second and third grades and a second wing for fourth and fifth grades, organized into learning neighborhoods with shared spaces like learning commons to encourage collaboration and flexibility.
Spaces Designed with Purpose: Music, Physical Education, Art, Media, and World Language spaces are designed to support the rich offerings students experience and ensure they are designed for the purpose intended.
Spaces that Support Inclusion and Special Education: Special education services are inclusive, supporting students within their classrooms and providing adjacent spaces for specialized or small group instruction when necessary.
Spaces for Educator Collaboration: The design prioritizes dedicated spaces for teachers to collaborate, problem-solve, and plan together to enhance student learning.
No. The School Committee Class Size Policy will remain in place. Kindergarten through Grade 2: 16-20, and; Grade 3 through Five (16-22).
Staffing levels are evaluated every year as part of the budgeting process in conjunction with student enrollment and other priorities of the District. This project alone will not result in staff layoffs as most positions are based on the number of students we have in the District/grades, not the number of buildings that we maintain.
Space will not allow for the two programs to be combined. Northborough PreK will be housed in Northborough and Southborough Preschool will be located at Woodward. If there is a solution to maintain the combined programs, it will be decided at the time.
Southborough Recreation organizes and runs the RAP programs. The District will continue to coordinate with the Recreation Department to bring RAP programming to students.
Yes. One of the many benefits of consolidating from three elementary schools to two is that it would reduce the number of spaces required for the District’s extended day program. Woodward and the new elementary school will house the programs. For families with students across multiple Southborough Elementary Schools, having the program housed in two buildings would minimize drop-off and pick-up challenges.