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Framingham Public Schools Statement on the Site of the Former Marian High School
Framingham Public Schools Statement on the Site of the Former Marian High School
Recent media reports indicate the site of the former Marian High School is for lease. As this has caused members of the community to ask questions to the Framingham Public Schools (FPS), we decided to publish this Q and A.
“Many in the community have asked if the space at the former Marian High School could help fill any infrastructure needs within the Framingham Public Schools”, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Tremblay. “While we don’t believe there is a near term need for this amount of new space, nor a match at this particular site, as part of our ongoing facilities planning effort we are going to be proactive and explore all options for our school district.”
Background
In May when news of the school’s closing became known, FPS reached out to tour Marian. At that time it was determined that the building would require millions - if not tens of millions - of dollars of improvements to be ready for FPS usage. Additionally, there is no current data which shows that the district requires that much additional space.
During that visit and as part of follow up, FPS was told that the Archdiocese had long-term plans for the site and would not be selling nor leasing the property. Now that the plans have apparently changed, while still unlikely a match for FPS, we do plan to reach out to again to Marian and request another tour of the site.
Do we need more space or have infrastructure challenges in the Framingham Public Schools?
There is no urgent need for more space or infrastructure upgrades, except with regard to the long-term plan currently in the final stage for the Fuller Middle School and smaller capital projects for preventative maintenance.
Like most districts, we do have our share of infrastructure challenges as we manage decades-old buildings. However, under the leadership of our Building and Grounds Department we do a terrific job making our schools safe and attractive places to learn and work.
To proactively plan for the decades ahead, recently the Superintendent Dr. Robert Tremblay in a plan endorsed 9-0 by the Framingham School Committee launched an Enrollment and Facilities Planning effort. The findings and recommendations in this plan will be finalized and publicly released in 2019. For more information visit District Improvement Goal 2 in this document.
Does Framingham need a new high school?
Fuller is the only new school building project expected at this time. While many think that a second high school is needed due to rising enrollment, the data currently shows that is not the case. Instead, strategic moves within the high school and lower or no cost changes and/or additions as proposed in a 2017 study are being looked at by city officials.
Can Marian be the site for a new Fuller Middle School?
No. Framingham’s invitation into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) capital pipeline for the Fuller Middle School project is relative to the needs of the existing school and based upon years of submissions of Statements of Interest to renovate or rebuild that specific school. Any change of plans at this stage of the process with the MSBA would exclude the district from $39.5 million of funding support from the MSBA and be counter to the long-term, detail oriented, and transparent process led by the Fuller School Building Committee. Marian High School is not a suitable replacement for Fuller Middle School as the layout does not support the district’s educational goals, there is very limited parking, and provides no access to playing fields.
Could Marian serve as swing space during the construction process for a new Fuller Middle School?
Plans for the new Fuller were strategically developed in order to keep the current school operational and separated from the construction site. This decision saves the city many millions of dollars by not needing to find swing space. Construction activity at Fuller will be phased and separated from the day-to-day functions of the existing school to ensure safety and to limit disruption to the educational process. For more information about the Fuller Middle School Building Project, visit www.fullerbuildingproject.com or attend or watch an upcoming community forum.