March 8, 2022 By Carol Britton Meyer
The Massachusetts School Building Authority notified the Hingham Select Board on March 2 that the MSBA Board voted to approve proceeding into the schematic design phase to replace -- rather than renovate -- the existing Foster School building, contingent on Town Meeting approval. The hope is that the MSBA will fund a significant portion of the project.
Such a new facility would serve pre-K through grade 5 students on the existing site. The proposal calls for a three-story building featuring a pre-K offering and arts and music programs that will also be the new location for the before- and after-school Kids in Action program.
There will be plenty of play space for recess and community use, a gymnasium featuring a two-sided stage, three music rooms, a rain garden, indoor and outdoor community and green space, potential solar panels on the roof, and a METCO office.
A warrant article will appear on this Spring's Annual Town Meeting agenda asking for interim funding -- subject to Massachusetts School Building Authority approval -- to cover expenses associated with design, architectural, engineering, owner’s project manager and other professional services to complete design development and construction document preparation and to obtain site development and construction bids necessary to prepare the building site for the construction of a new elementary school.
The new school -- if Town Meeting approves the necessary funding -- would have an anticipated useful life as an educational facility for the instruction of school children of at least 50 years, according to the warrant article.
A Special Town Meeting will be held next Fall for the purpose of asking voter approval of full construction funding. That figure will be announced at a later date.
If all goes as expected, construction could begin in the Spring of 2023, followed by the opening of the new building in 2024.