The Common, Edition #9

October 21, 2022

Superintendent Update

Dear Nashoba Families,

On the evening of October 19, 2022, the Nashoba Regional School District School Committee voted to accept the preferred concept design option of the School Building Committee (SBC), the Committee charged with assessing the feasibility of constructing a new Nashoba Regional High School. A complete recording of the meeting is posted on the district’s website for the building project and archived with the meeting materials for the School Building Committee’s October 18th meeting. The Committee selected preliminary concept design Option 4D, a 2-story structure comprising two learning communities connected by a central library media center. This option preserves the existing turf field and stadium but requires relocation of the baseball field.

All preliminary design options may be viewed by going to nrsd.net and clicking on the NRHS Building Project header. Materials from all SBC meetings can be found on the NRHS School Building Committee website.

The architects of Kaestle Boos Associates and project managers from Skanska, USA, presented the building options to the community on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School. We had over 50 attend the meeting in person and over 50 people who were engaged on-line.

As required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the architects presented design options to repair, renovate or replace the current building. The base repair option was determined to be non-reimbursable by the MSBA. The addition-renovation option was the most costly and had the longest timeline. Of the five new build designs, Option 4D was recommended by the working group, citing that Option 4D was the most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate long term solution. It is important to note that the option of a pure renovation of the current school was eliminated due to building constraints.

Comparative cost estimates, including the District’s approximate share after MSBA reimbursement for each of the options are as follows (dollars expressed in millions):

The costs listed are total cost estimates of the project. The cost to taxpayers in Bolton, Lancaster, and Stow will be less based on MSBA reimbursement calculations. To view estimates of those calculations, read slide 26 of the SBC presentation posted in the meeting materials of the October 18, 2022 school committee meeting.

From the night of the community forum on October 11th until the school building committee meeting on October 18th, our community members had an opportunity to offer their feedback on the design options. Fifty-seven people participated in an online survey, providing scores for each option that gave option 4D the highest value.. .The SBC voted unanimously to recommend option 4D to the Nashoba Regional School Committee, who also voted unanimously to accept the recommendation for inclusion in the Preliminary Schematic Report due to the MSBA on October 27, 2022.

Once the preliminary design concept is reviewed by the MSBA, a schedule of activities for schematic design will be published to the community. The schematic design phase will give our community multiple opportunities to participate in forums regarding the actual design. It is our hope our three communities will be actively engaged throughout this process.

Peace,

Kirk Downing

(He/Him)

News from the Department of Teaching and Learning

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Nashoba Notable Award! Celebrating Everyday Greatness at Nashoba!

Celebrating everyday greatness! Is there a Nashoba teacher or staff member out there who you think deserves some special recognition? Send a Nashoba Notable Award their way! Fill out the form below and thank a Nashoba employee today!

Nashoba Notable Awards thank Nashoba employees for supporting students, families, and their school communities in all ways great and small.

Employees will receive a certificate that includes a brief explanation from the nominator of why they are Nashoba Notable. This form is open to everyone. Students, families, staff and community members can send a Nashoba Notable Award to any Nashoba employee.

There is no limit to the number of Nashoba Notable Awards someone may receive. Thank a Nashoba employee today!

Click here to tell someone they are Nashoba Notable!

News from the Pupil Personnel Department

Nashoba Regional Unified Sports hosted a unified basketball game against Shrewsbury High School this week!

Our district has been committed to enhancing extra curricula activities for all of our students. The district has expanded offerings for Unified Sports to bring together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to play together on the same team. Unified sports encourage students to engage in physical activities, enhance skills and learn the importance of inclusion while encouraging and enhancing friendships among the players.

This game was exciting and enjoyable for the spectators! If you want to be inspired, stop by and cheer on our team!