Post date: Oct 11, 2013 8:38:50 PM
Reminder – No School Monday, October 14, Columbus Day
School Committee and Superintendent’s FY14 Goals
The School Committee and the District’s administrative team including the superintendent, directors, principals, and assistant principals recently dedicated two evenings to reviewing the District Improvement Plan and establishing goals for the 2013-2014 school year. The School Committee goals targeted lowering or eliminating student fees, expanding curriculum offerings, and promoting community engagement. The Superintendent’s goals targeted developing Community Service Learning education, classroom visitations, and student engagement. Both the School Committee and the Superintendent had an additional goal related to addressing the inadequacies of the facilities and informing the public about the proposed building project, while at the same time engaging the community in a shared vision of educational opportunities and enhancements district-wide associated with the project. For more details see the attached related documents.
Proposed MS/HS Building Project Update:
Important Dates – Mark Your Calendars:
October 30 Public Forum – LHS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
November 16 Q & A – Public Library, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
December 5 Public Forum – LHS Cafeteria, 3:00 p.m.
December 5 Public Forum – LHS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
At the last meeting of the School Building Committee, the Committee reviewed and voted to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Schematic Design package including the initial cost estimates and budget. The estimates reflect a construction budget of $60,261,632 and a project budget totaling $74,235,771. The Town’s MSBA reimbursement rate is 58.25% for eligible expenses. The anticipated grant from the MSBA is $36,238,758 and the local share is $37,997,013 or about 49% of the estimated project cost. Costs excluded include two million in site improvements, capped at 8%, and almost nine million in construction costs which are capped by the MSBA at $275 per square foot. The construction cost per gross square foot for the project is estimated at $360.85.
The School Building Committee has a work group that is working with the designer to identify additional value engineering items to lower the cost. This work group met yesterday afternoon prior to a presentation to the Town Finance Committee. The Town Manager was also at the Finance Committee meeting to review the estimated impact of the School Building Project to homeowners by assessed value. Current estimates indicate that on a 30-year term residents with single-family residences with an assessed value between $200,000 and $249,999 would pay $44.22 per month. For a 20-year term the amount would be $52.12 per month. Fifty-nine percent (59.39%) of single-family residences in Lunenburg are at or below this assessed value range. The difference in interest costs between the 20- and 30-year term was estimated to be $13,034,067. The Finance Committee meeting was recorded and will be rebroadcast. We will communicate the dates and times for that rebroadcast upon receipt and also post them at the SBC website: https://sites.google.com/a/lunenburgschools.net/school-building-project/.
FLU CLINIC
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health will sponsor a flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday, October 16, in the cafeteria of the Thomas C. Passios Building from 3:00-6:00 PM. Have your insurance card(s) available, as a copy is required for billing. If you do not have insurance or choose not to provide your insurance card, the cost is $15.00. There is no charge for children 18 years of age and younger. Forms and additional information can be found at www.lunenburgschools.net or by calling Nashoba Associated Boards of Health at 978-772-3335.
PTO UPDATE
A Lunenburg tradition continues with the PTO Haunted House 2013. Co-sponsored by Lunenburg School Linked Services, the event is scheduled for Friday, November 1, from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM at the Thomas C. Passios Building. The Haunted House is appropriate for all ages, but the event becomes "spookier" as the night goes on. "Kosmic Kelly" will be on hand doing spooky science experiments. The cost is $5.00 per person or $20.00 family max. PTO sponsored event proceeds benefit our schools. This is a "SPOOK-TACULAR" family night not to be missed! The next meeting of the PTO is scheduled for Monday, October 21, 2013, at 7:00 PM in room #13 of the Thomas C. Passios Building. This is a budget work meeting. For more information about the Lunenburg PTO see http://www.lunenburgpto.org/. We encourage all parents to be part of this valuable organization that does so much to support the students and schools.
Town-wide Trick or Treat will be from 6 to 8 PM on Thursday, October 31, 2013.