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Building committee finalizes outreach plan and fields public questions on report reliability and costs
Summary
The Beecher Road Schools Building Committee agreed to distribute a July newsletter, hold outreach at summer concerts and a July 18 library forum, and received public comments pressing for clearer itemized repair costs, enrollment projections and confirmation of consultant report data.
At its June 23 special meeting the Beecher Road Schools Building Committee reviewed a draft newsletter, set outreach dates and heard public commenters press for clearer cost comparisons and greater transparency about the facility‑condition assessment.
Acting Chair Lynn Yasic walked the committee through the draft communications plan and said the newsletter would include survey highlights, a financial update, a short Q&A, a project timeline and upcoming events. Committee members agreed to place materials (including a clear designation of which bodies oversee the pool/community complex) so residents know where to direct questions.
Committee members asked the consultants and staff for visual renderings and a floor plan that demonstrate the proposed school’s ‘‘flexible’’ classroom approach. One committee member suggested adding an itemized list of high‑priority repairs (about 20 line items) with cost estimates so voters can directly compare maintaining the existing facility over 20 years with the cost to build new.
Public comments focused on report access and fiscal risk. Kathy Wick said she could not find the March 4 facility condition assessment online and asked whether Antonian Associates had all prior renovation records (she had been told conflicting accounts). She also questioned the report’s broad disclaimer and whether cost estimates are reliable. The committee said selected images were removed from the posted report for security and that the report would be reposted; staff committed to confirming the date Antonian received prior renovation documentation. Colette Elliot urged the committee to publish enrollment projections and full gross/net cost calculations (gross project cost and net cost after reimbursement), and asked how students would be accommodated during construction; staff said the plan is to build a separate new school while the current school remains in use and then demolish the old building after the move.
Next steps: the committee will review the newsletter draft on July 7, will staff an information table at the July 7 summer concert, and is scheduling a community forum at the library for July 18 to present the project and answer questions.
