Board reviews detailed design, geothermal plan and multi‑year phasing for Reimagine Northfield High School

Architects and the district’s construction manager on Monday gave the Northfield Public Schools Board a detailed update on the Reimagine Northfield High School construction documents, the project’s energy systems and a four‑phase construction schedule.

Sal (architect) summarized the design development and user‑group process that shaped the plan, including an eastern classroom and office addition, a music addition that will double as the building’s storm shelter, expanded gym and athletics spaces, and reorganized academic wings for departmental groupings. “We’ve come to another exciting milestone for the re‑imagined high school project,” Sal said, noting the plans will separate vehicle, bus and pedestrian circulation and add a dedicated bus loop at the north entry.

The team said the site design includes both underground stormwater tanks and a surface pond to meet stormwater control requirements and limit runoff to the city system. The geothermal design is included in the bid documents as a Darcy system: the presenter said test wells and a geology report support a plan for 10 Darcy wells sized for the building. Sal noted the mechanical rooms adjacent to the wells will house the pumps and electrical gear needed to serve the system.

Josh Cooper, representing the construction manager, reviewed the phasing: fencing, utility relocations and foundation work will begin as soon as the 2026 school year ends; the district plans to make construction documents available to contractors in late February, open bids in late March and bring recommended awards to the board in April. The music addition (which must be completed early to serve as the storm shelter) is targeted for early fall 2027; the main classroom and office addition is planned to open in January 2028, and all additions and most site work are expected to be complete in 2028 with remaining V‑Wing and auditorium work finishing in 2029.

Cooper described four trade‑package groups for best‑value procurement (earthwork/utilities, glass/glazing, mechanical/electrical, concrete/steel) and said the team will ask contractors for execution plans and value enhancements to reduce downstream risk. He added the construction schedule contains built‑in contingency and that heavy demolition will be sequenced after occupants move into the new additions.

Superintendent Matt Hillman said the district will prioritize transparency and community communication during the multi‑year work, with a construction website, QR‑coded fencing graphics linked to project updates, a webcam and weekly updates. “You have to put up with the rain to get the rainbow,” Hillman said, urging the public to plan for parking and traffic disruptions during peak construction.

The board pressed the team on accessibility, student flow, and managing noise during the school year. The architects confirmed the building will be fully accessible with three elevators, ADA‑compliant restroom upgrades and strategically placed ramps; Cooper said noisy activities will be scheduled early or late where possible and partitions will be installed to protect learning spaces.

Next steps: issue construction documents to the construction manager in mid‑February, publish bid packages to contractors later that month, open bids in late March and return contract awards to the board in April.

Provenance: presentation and Q&A in the meeting packet and transcript (topic intro: SEG 109; topic finish: SEG 999).