If you are voting No or are still undecided about approving the high school renovation, consider this:
Applying for and receiving a slice of very limited State funds for public projects is an incredibly difficult task. The criteria is exceptionally rigorous, the oversight is redundant and relentless. The need must be unmistakably clear, immediate, and demonstrable. Otherwise, it’s just too easy for state decision-makers to pull out their fat, red-stained rubber stamps and happily mark an application “Denied.” There are too many other deserving applications competing for those funds.
Our community is extraordinarily fortunate to have passed this scrutiny and be on the receiving end of nearly $24 million in state reimbursement funds to renovate our aging high school. True, this award comes with strings attached: our school district must perform the work according to state labor and other laws, fully comply with all applicable building codes, use state provided population projections, and be in compliance with all the regulatory standards that will provide maximum reimbursement. It is an imperfect system. It will cost us. Yes, we can refuse these funds and cut off our entanglement with the State — but that will not reduce the very real and urgent building system renovations that need to done and paid for. Where will the money for that come from, I wonder? And how quickly? Think about this — can we truly afford to forfeit $24 million in hard-won state funds, dismiss a comprehensive and well thought-out construction plan five years in the making, and try our luck on a long series of unfunded, unpredictable and inefficient piecemeal repairs?
I am an architect, and before moving to the Berkshires, I worked in New York City and was involved in numerous public projects, including many school renovations. I am familiar with the public procurement process as well as the technical side of assessing and developing architectural needs and solutions for public buildings. I have also served as a substitute teacher at the high school, so I have a fairly good idea of the school’s actual conditions. And I have reviewed the very detailed feasibly report produced by Strategic Building Solutions, LLC, one of the consultants hired by the Massachusetts School Building Authority to survey and assess the school’s then current condition.
Let me just quote the first paragraph of the consultant’s illuminating report (or go to https://www.bhrsd.org/mmrhsproject/ preferred schematic report – September 2012 to read the whole thing)
“In November 2009, the Berkshire Hills Regional School District (BHRSD) submitted a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for Monument Mountain Regional High School (MMRHS). The stated priorities of the SOI were to consider the health and safety of the occupants of this 44 year old facility. The infrastructure is outdated with an aged and inoperable heating and ventilating (HVAC) system, un-insulated single pane windows, minimal insulation levels, a roof that is aging, inadequate lighting and information technology, and certain inadequately sized facilities. An evaluation of all major building systems has shown that in addition to the HVAC system, the plumbing, electrical, technology, fire alarm, emergency power systems are all at the end of their useful life. The existing 113,705 gross square foot building, constructed in 1968, has a concrete foundation with steel frame and an exterior of minimally insulated brick masonry walls with a portion of metal clad “mansard” roof. There is not an adequate lateral force resisting brace system for the building’s structural systems. Barrier-free access is a pervasive problem throughout the building. Certain aspects of the existing construction do not meet current building code requirements, in the areas of fire suppression, fire alarm, and electrical systems. Hazardous materials including asbestos, mercury vapor ballasts, PCBs, and other construction components is expected to be found and will need abatement. “
Etc., Etc.
Clearly, this is not a scope of work that can be fixed piecemeal by local contractors, or by students in some type of “learn by doing” program. This is a building in serious need of a comprehensive renovation. Hundreds of hours of study by numerous consultants and local officials have proven this point beyond a reasonable doubt. Modern building systems are interrelated, complex, and require specialized and expensive contractors and consultants to design and install them. One cannot easily or cheaply separate these major building elements into discrete “fixable” packages and fix them on as needed basis.
Yes, this is an expensive project. Yes, this process lifted the lid on real, pre-existing inequities – from the school choice and tuition agreements to the fairness of property assessments and taxes, and other issues. But those are separate battles. Don’t punish the children for these unrelated issues.
The individuals who brought this project to this critical point are not a mysterious cabal of spare–no-expense elites. They are your neighbors, your kids’ teachers; ethical and professional experts, and caring individuals who only want what is best for the school system and the kids’ future. The only true and real injustice will be NOT to take advantage of the opportunity we have right now to invest in our town, our children and their children. There is no growth without a bit of pain. But the alternative is a whole lot less attractive. Have faith, and vote Yes to support this deserving project.
Diego Gutierrez
Housatonic, Massachusetts
