Fuller Middle School Building Project Receives Necessary Approval from the MSBA to Proceed to Next Phase
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Rochelle Santos
Media & Communications Manager
Framingham Public Schools
rsantos@framingham.k12.ma.us
774-388-7121
Framingham’s Fuller Middle School Building Project Receives Necessary Approval from the Massachusetts School Building Authority to Proceed to Next Phase
Framingham, MA - June 28, 2018: Yesterday, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the City of Framingham’s plan for the Fuller Middle School. This approval marks the entrance into the next phase in the MSBA’s process. Transitioning into the MSBA’s Schematic Design phase brings the city and Framingham Public Schools one step closer to replacing the existing Fuller Middle School with a new facility equipped to support Framingham’s 21st century educational curriculum. The School Building Committee (SBC) for the Fuller Middle School Building Project has been working diligently over the past year on the Feasibility Study and school design to get to this next phase.
“I am pleased that the MSBA Board of Directors voted unanimously in support of the Fuller Middle School Building Project and for the support of Senator Spilka, Representative Gentile and Representative Lewis. The Fuller Middle School Project will have a positive impact on our community at large and our students for years to come,” said Dr. Yvonne M. Spicer, Mayor.
The design option selected by the School Building Committee called ‘Folded Hands’ offers a new three-story construction with a learning commons/cafeteria at the core surrounded by collaboration balconies fronting a perimeter of classrooms, an 8,300-square-foot gymnasium, 750-seat auditorium, and full-building air conditioning. Additionally, there will be space for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) instructional areas, exceeds energy efficiency standards, and creates new open space.
(The Folded Hands Design Plan)
“I am proud to work closely with the Framingham legislative delegation, city and school officials and the MSBA to move the Fuller Middle School project forward in the building and design process,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The physical structure of a school building is critical for student achievement and educator effectiveness, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to make a new Fuller school a reality.”
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. A series of community forums and meetings have been scheduled for the summer and fall. The next community forum will be held on Monday, July 23rd from 6-8 p.m. in the Fuller Middle School Library. The School Building Committee will also be presenting updates to the School Committee on August 1st and the City Council on August 21st. All upcoming event dates, meetings, and detailed project information can be found at www.fullerbuildingproject.com.
About the School Building Committee
Framingham’s School Building Committee on 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. The Committee and MSBA process has been a multi-year effort as Fuller Middle 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. Membership of the Committee 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 fifteen School Building Committee meetings, eight design options were discussed and evaluated, and several academic leadership meetings and five community forums occurred since last fall. The committee focused on the following criteria when developing the options: educational benefits, cost, minimal disruption to students during construction, sustainability, community use, and transportation.
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.
To find additional information regarding the Fuller Middle School Building Project, 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 of Framingham’s “Notify Me” system.
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