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Sweet Home superintendent previews 7,200‑sq‑ft Maplemere Elementary addition, new bus loop and UPK classrooms
Summary
Superintendent Janestri presented a proposed 7,200-square-foot addition to Maplemere Elementary designed to add three UPK classrooms, a STEM room, a new bus loop and additional storage; architects are coordinating with the Town of Amherst and user groups and say the footprint is within the approved Phase 1 budget.
Superintendent Janestri presented the proposed footprint for Phase 1 of the district's capital project at Maplemere Elementary, describing a 7,200-square-foot addition on the right wing that would include classroom space, a new bus loop and improved arrival and dismissal circulation.
Janestri said the addition is designed so classroom exits lead directly to a new bus loop, and that "3 of these rooms are designed for UPK," plus a STEM room, an "E and L" room and a grade-level classroom. She said the design includes two single-occupancy restrooms in the hallway and built-in storage and technology closets, and that the plan keeps the project within the Phase 1 budget.
The project team and superintendent also highlighted traffic and safety features. Janestri said the architects are working with the Town of Amherst on the roadways and access and that the bus loop is designed to accommodate buses and emergency vehicles. A board member noted from memory that the design would restore roughly 22 parking spaces behind the building, while Janestri said a portion of the back field currently blocked by temporary classrooms would be returned to green space for play areas.
Board members and user groups praised the architects' user-group process. Janestri said teacher user groups reviewed classroom layouts and requested storage inside classrooms (cubbies) rather than in hallways; architects will return with façade options and interior renderings after further teacher review. Janestri also said the district began design work after the December vote that authorized the capital project and that the construction manager and architects will continue detailed design and code coordination.
What happens next: the board reviewed the footprint and was asked for a green light to continue schematic design. Architects will provide façade and interior options for user-group review in about a month; the presentation did not include a final construction schedule or guaranteed parking count, which the board indicated it expects to confirm as design work continues.
