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Superintendent: Rosel McDonald remains preferred site as West Bridgewater weighs PreK–4 vs. PreK–6 building options
Summary
Superintendent Mr. Badwell told the committee the Rosel McDonald site remains the primary MSBA candidate; architects are evaluating two-grade configurations (PreK–4 and PreK–6), wetlands/setback constraints and a possible two- or three-story design, and a community forum is planned to gather public feedback.
Superintendent Mr. Badwell updated the School Committee Feb. 3 on the district's MSBA building process and site review, saying the Rosel McDonald site remains the main site under consideration while wetlands, setbacks and neighborhood impacts are still being analyzed.
"We continue to look at the Rosel McDonald as the main site for consideration," Mr. Badwell told the committee. Architects and PMA are conducting space summaries and "test fit" exercises to determine whether a two-story or three-story building is the better long-term fit for enrollment projections. Staff presented two preferred grade-range options under study: PreK–4 and PreK–6.
The committee discussed trade-offs: a two-story design may better meet wetland and setback requirements but could constrain some internal spaces; a three-story design is less common locally but could place early-childhood programs on a lower level and older students on higher floors. Staff also showed a test fit for the Howard School as a potential five–six configuration, noting that while it could house those grades and specialist classrooms, it would lack an optimal library and might require additional specialist staff if classroom sections increase.
The superintendent highlighted outreach and engagement plans: a School Building Committee meeting on Feb. 11 (open to the public) and a tentative community forum on April 1 to present options and collect public input. The district will post materials and recordings on its website and promote the forum through newsletters, the town sign, Facebook and local publications.
Next steps include continued site and wetlands analysis, refinement of space planning based on enrollment projections, and further public engagement through the upcoming forums.
