FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Rochelle Santos
Media & Communications Manager
Framingham Public Schools
rsantos@framingham.k12.ma.us
774-388-7121
Framingham Public Schools and The School Building Committee Invite The Greater Community To Attend A Public Forum for the Fuller Middle School Building Project
FRAMINGHAM, MA - June 5, 2018 – Recently the School Building Committee (SBC) selected the “Folded Hands” design as the preferred plan for the Fuller Middle School Building Project. The greater Framingham community is invited to attend the 5th Community Forum to learn about the project’s progress, selected design, current status, and next steps. Superintendent Dr. Robert Tremblay and Framingham’s COO, Thatcher Kezer will lead an introduction, followed by a presentation and Q&A with the Architect, Jonathan Levi.
The Community Forum takes place on Monday June 11, 2018 from 6pm - 8pm in the Fuller Middle School Library. There is an optional school tour at 5:30pm. Food, and childcare will be provided at the school during this meeting, as well as translation services in Spanish and Portuguese.
“Now that the Preferred Schematic Report phase has begun, we will start to dive deeper into the actual design elements and nuances that this building will offer our students and our community,” said David Miles, Chair, School Building Committee. “This is a complex process that requires participation and understanding from the community and it is our hope that by providing complete transparency at these open forum events, we can all become more informed as to the needs and interests of the community.”
“The District and the City have been asking for support from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for years to address the needs at Fuller Middle School. Having been invited into the MSBA capital pipeline is a major accomplishment unto itself and presents as an incredible opportunity for the City,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Tremblay, “The next several months will be extremely important as we work to make this new school a reality. We recognize the importance of conversations around financial impact. We also recognize the need for the broader community to understand the positive impact that a new Fuller Middle School will have on our students - both academically and socially. Framingham students deserve a learning community that is appropriate to their learning needs. Before the decision is made by our community of taxpayers, however, it is our goal to provide every opportunity for meaningful conversations about those leaning needs and how this project aims to meet that goal. I hope you will join us and engage in this important community conversation.”
“Providing a quality education for all of our children is my greatest priority as your Mayor. Our children deserve to learn in a facility that is safe. The existing Fuller Middle School has exceeded its longevity and it is no longer suitable for a new generation of learners. The Fuller Middle School project will be an asset to our community at large,” said Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer.
The “Folded Hands” design option will offer the Framingham community and future Fuller Middle School students a new three-story construction with a learning commons/cafeteria at the core surrounded by collaboration spaces fronting a perimeter of classrooms, an 8,300-square-foot gymnasium, auditorium, and air conditioning. Additionally, there will be space for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) instructional areas and it is the best option for energy efficiency and open space.
Over the coming months the SBC will continue to work with stakeholders including residents, teachers, students, families, and elected officials to further refine the plans and move closer to project authorization.
To find additional information regarding the Fuller Middle School Building Project and a schedule of upcoming School Building Committee meetings, visit www.fullerbuildingproject.com. To receive email notifications about important project information related to the Fuller Middle School Building Project, please subscribe to the City’s “Notify Me” system.
If you cannot attend the Community Forum, submit your questions in advance to rsantos@framingham.k12.ma.us by June 8, 2018. The community forum will be broadcasted on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/FraminghamPS.
About the School Building Committee and the Need to Replace Fuller Middle School
Framingham’s School Building Committee for the Fuller Middle School Building Project was formed in accordance with Massachusetts School Building Authority requirements to oversee the study and project on behalf of the community. Membership of the group comes from City Government leadership, a City Council Member, Framingham Public School leadership, School Committee Members, teachers, engineers, and representatives from the community. The SBC has met approximately every two weeks since the fall of 2017. Over the course of more than eighteen SBC meetings, eight design options were discussed and evaluated, and several academic leadership meetings and four community forums occurred since last fall. The committee focused on the following criteria when developing and selecting the design option: educational benefits, cost, minimal disruption to students during construction, sustainability, community use, and transportation.
Fuller Middle School has served the community well for over 60 years. The school has reached a point that it no longer meets today's building codes, has structural deficiencies, inefficient and inoperable systems, and does not adequately support our educational curriculum. The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has visited the school and agrees. The MSBA is the state agency charged with overseeing and supporting school improvement projects with state grants. The MSBA and City of Framingham are currently completing a feasibility study, which is the required initial step to explore the school's conditions and develop a cost effective, sustainable, and educationally appropriate solution for the aging Fuller Middle School.
About Framingham Public Schools
The mission of the Framingham Public Schools is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically-thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by highly-qualified staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with our entire community. For news, updates, and announcements, follow Framingham Public Schools (@FraminghamPS) on Facebook, Twitter, and (@framinghamschools) on Instagram. You can also join the conversation using #FraminghamSchools.
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