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MMSD referendum team outlines design concepts, schedule and budgeting approach for five new schools
Summary
District staff and consultants updated the Board on design progress for phase 1 schools Sherman/Shabazz and Blackhawk/Gompers, described community engagement and programming work, and said cost-estimating for all five new schools was done up front so budgets for later phases are preserved.
Madison — The Madison Metropolitan School District on June 9 heard a detailed update on design, procurement and community engagement for the district’s multi-year referendum program, including concept designs for Sherman/Shabazz and Blackhawk/Gompers, an early-phase schedule and a budgeting approach that staff said budgets all five new middle schools up front to avoid running out of funds later.
Scott (staff member) opened the presentation by describing the referendum’s goals and the district’s decision to bring on an owner’s representative. “In November, we passed a historic referendum,” Scott said. He introduced the district’s owner’s-rep and construction team: Concord Group, OPN Architects, Findorff and Vogel Brothers.
Kevin McGinty of Concord Group described the firm’s role: “We are construction consultants, experts in design and construction.” McGinty said Concord helps coordinate design and construction partners, translate options and keep the district’s budget on track. OPN Architects’ Wes Randall (principal, Madison studio) and project team described schematic concepts and a community-driven programming process. Randall said the design team is prioritizing flexibility and sustainable systems and noted that design development continues through the fall.
Consultants said outreach has been extensive. The team reported more than 149 meetings across staff, community, students and core and design teams, including 38 core-team weekly meetings and more than 46 design-team sessions. Engagement tools included in-person user sessions, dot-exercise feedback, QR-code remote input and benchmarking visits to other districts. A word cloud from community sessions highlighted “diversity,” “community,” “inclusiveness” and “safe” as recurring priorities.
Design and programming highlights - Site and access: Sherman/Shabazz concepts place separate building entrances and circulation paths for Sherman Middle School and Shabazz High School while consolidating shared amenities such as gym and commons areas in the building core; designers said the layout responds to heavy public-transport ridership on Sherman Avenue. Blackhawk/Gompers concepts use the site topography to keep Gompers elementary on one level and Blackhawk middle school areas on two levels, with separate bus and car loops and adjacent outdoor play space. - School
