Rebuilding Albany High School Facilities referendum Tuesday, Feb. 9 Community Forum January 14, 2016 Agenda Welcome Presentation: New proposal What s changed? What s stayed the same? Benefits for students Cost/tax impact Project comparisons Facility overview Construction phasing/design elements Construction safety Voter information Questions/Discussion 2 1
What we learned in November The razor thin margin of the November vote (92 votes out of more than 12,000 cast) made several points clear: The overall cost of the proposed project was too high The community is frustrated with the city s overall tax situation There is an understanding of the student needs at Albany High, and a willingness to support a vision for the future that will benefit all students District staff and the Board of Education listened and responded. 3 The new proposal The scaled back $179.9 million proposal takes those factors into consideration. $16.1 million less overall than the November proposal Most cost reductions in areas that would have received the lowest amounts of state aid Allowed the district to reduce the proposed tax increase by more than half. Nearly all programmatic, safety and facility improvements maintained 4 2
What s changed? Proposed new 1,400 seat auditorium eliminated ($4 million) Current auditorium will be renovated and expanded to a capacity of 850 Proposed gym expansion eliminated ($4 million) Current gym will remain the same size 3 of 5 distance learning classrooms eliminated ($1.5 million) Some technology shifted to Smart Schools funds ($2 million) Eliminated some new furniture and equipment ($1.5 million) Changed flooring materials in hallways ($1.8 million) Eliminated proposed artificial turf practice field ($550,000) Existing field will remain grass 5 What s stayed the same? Nearly all programmatic, safety and facilities improvements: Career and technical education programs relocated from Abrookin to the main campus Five smaller learning communities New three story classroom building Full renovation of current classroom building New music and art classrooms Enclosed courtyard 6 Facilities improvements: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning New roof New exterior 3
More personalized attention More supportive relationships; staff better able to get to know students individually College and career pathways supported equally and opportunities available to all students A safer school Benefits for students Pride in a community that has chosen to invest in their future 7 Doing nothing is not an option Major investments are needed at Albany High to address the aging 42 year old facilities and anticipated enrollment growth. Estimated cost to repair the building: $55.7 million Heating, air conditioning, ventilation New roof Exterior Estimated cost to accommodate growing enrollment: $45.6 million Albany High s enrollment is expected to grow from about 2,500 currently to 3,000 or more in the coming years. Total investment needed simply to maintain the status quo at Albany High: $100.3 million 8 4
An investment in our future A plan for future generations that is manageable today. Total cost: $179.9 million We have maximized state aid to minimize the tax impact: State aid = 65 percent ($117.2 million) Local share = 35 percent ($62.7 million) These factors lead to the following projected increases for homeowners: Home Value Basic STAR Enhanced STAR $150,000 $19/year $14/year $1.58/month or 5 cents/day $1.17/month or 4 cents/day ($42 in original proposal) ($30 in original proposal) $200,000 $28/year $2.33/month or 8 cents/day ($60 in original proposal) $250,000 $36/year $3.00/month or 10 cents/day ($77 in original proposal) $22/year $1.83/month or 6 cents/day ($47 in original proposal) $30/year $2.50/month or 8 cents/day ($64 in original proposal) 9 Comparative information Projects are often compared to each other regarding cost. Many comparisons are not appropriate as buildings differ in size, program, function, systems, capacity, components, condition and location, as well as many other factors. For a project like ours the correct indicators are: Cost per square foot and cost per student As an example: Comparing the cost of a new 2,000 student high school against the cost of a 3,000 student high school is not appropriate as one is larger and has more cost. When one looks at the cost per student and the square foot cost the comparison is normalized. 10 5
Comparative information The following new school plans were compared: Albany HS $179,900,000 530,000 s.f. 3,000 students (proposed) 177 s.f./student Kingston HS $137,500,000 360,000 s.f. 2,000 students (construction starts 2015) 180 s.f./student Taconic (Mass.) HS $120,000,000 246,520 s.f. 920 students (construction starts 2016) 268 s.f./student Newton (Mass.) HS $197,000,000 412,000 s.f. 1,750 students (construction completed 2010) 235 s.f./student 11 Comparative information $600 Cost per square foot $500 $400 $300 $200 $100 $0 Albany HS Kingston HS Taconic HS Newton HS 12 6
Comparative information $140,000 $120,000 $100,000 $80,000 $60,000 $40,000 $20,000 $0 Construction cost per student Albany HS Kingston HS Taconic HS Newton HS 13 Proposed design 14 7
Gymnasium, pool, physical education stations Proposed design Small learning communities 1-3 Small learning communities 4-5 (second & third floors) Music/band, art, foreign language classrooms Auditorium 15 CTE, special needs, business ed. (first floor) Proposed design first floor WASHINGTON AVE 16 8
Proposed design second floor WASHINGTON AVE 17 Proposed design third floor WASHINGTON AVE 18 9
Proposed design instructional areas 19 Construction phasing, timeline The project would be completed in four primary phases over seven years. The district also would plan to replace the roof in time for the 2016 17 school year, immediately addressing one of the school s main facilities needs. Main construction would begin in the spring of 2018, following detailed design planning and drawings, and State Education Department approvals. Construction completed August 2024. 20 10
Construction phasing, timeline 21 Roof replacement June August 2016 Total cost: $3 million Phase I New three story classroom building Spring 2018 August 2019 Total cost: $42.8 million This phase would include: (43) new general instruction classrooms: ELA, math, social studies, AIS, ENL, career (12) new group breakout spaces (enclosed and non enclosed) (13) new science classrooms (6) new special education classrooms (6) new special education resource rooms (1) new distance learning lab classrooms (3) new computer/technology classrooms (3) small learning community administration suites Construction phasing, timeline Phase II Enclosure of the courtyard, addition of a new library/media center and computer classroom, renovations to the third floor of the existing classroom building. Spring 2019 Spring 2021 Total cost: $35.7 million 22 This phase would include: (22) renovated or new general instruction classrooms: Includes ELA, math, social studies, AIS, ENL, career (5) new group breakout spaces (enclosed and non enclosed) (10) new science classrooms (2) renovated special education classrooms (2) renovated special education resource rooms (1) new distance learning lab classrooms (1) small learning community administration suites (3) new CTE spaces New Library/Media Center Enclosure of courtyard 11
Construction phasing, timeline Phase III New art, music and foreign language wing, renovations to existing auditorium and physical education facilities. June 2020 June 2022 Total cost: $56.4 million 23 This phase would include: New secure entries Renovated auditorium with addition of 200 seat balcony (6) new art classrooms (5) new music classrooms (6) foreign language classrooms (3) new physical education stations (6) renovated physical education stations New main office and public welcome space New student support space New health suite Construction phasing, timeline Phase IV Full renovation of the first and second floors of the current academic building, including relocation of CTE programs from Abrookin. June 2022 August 2024 Total cost: $42 million 24 This final phase would include: (4) renovated career/technology classroom spaces (5) renovated business education classrooms (3) renovated special education classrooms (1) renovated special education resource room (21) renovated or new general instruction classrooms: ELA, math, social studies, AIS, ENL, career (6) new group breakout spaces (enclosed and non enclosed) (2) renovated special education classrooms (2) renovated special education resource rooms (2) renovated computer classrooms (1) small learning community administration suite 12
Construction on a school campus When the City School District of Albany rebuilt its elementary and middle schools from 2003 10, the district used swing space facilities to relocate students and staff during construction. Feasible for schools of 300 600 students. When construction was complete, students and staff returned to their brand new school. Swing space is not an option for the proposed project. No facilities available in the community to serve 2,500+ students while Albany High is under construction. 25 Construction on a school campus We will plan and manage the proposed work to ensure safety and minimize disruptions for students and staff so learning can continue. In depth planning before construction begins Design strict engineering controls aligned with State Education regulations Construction phases Creating new space early in the project to relocate students in later stages Students and staff separated from construction at all times 26 13
SED 155.5 REGULATION: CONTRACTDOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST 1. Occupied building spaces will always comply with the minimum requirements to maintain a certificate of occupancy. 2. All school construction areas will be tested for lead and asbestos. 3. General safety and security standards will be adhered to including material storage, gates and fencing, overhead protection, and photo identification of all workers. 4. Construction areas will be separated from occupied areas at all times. 5. Construction operations will not produce noise in excess of 60dba in occupied spaces. 6. Chemical fumes and gases produced by construction activities will be monitored and controlled to ensure they do not enter occupied portions of the building. 7. Off gassing" of volatile organic compounds (glues, paints, carpeting, etc.) will be scheduled, cured or ventilated in accordance with manufacturers recommendations before a space is to be occupied. 8. Any interior asbestos abatement projects will not be performed while the wing or building section is occupied. Complete isolation of ventilation systems and at windows will be provided for all exterior asbestos abatement. 9. Disturbed surfaces will be tested for lead. A plan prepared by a certified Lead Risk Assessor detailing lead abatement requirements will be provided. 27 Voter information Voting will take place at the locations used for the school budget vote in May, not for the general election in November. Please remember to check your polling place before you head out to vote Tuesday, Feb. 9. Voting locations may have changed for some residents. All voting locations open 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Visit the Rebuilding Albany High School section at www.albanyschools.org for complete information and updates, including: Ward by ward list of voting locations Absentee ballot applications (also available here tonight) 28 14
Stay informed Visit the Rebuilding Albany High School section at www.albanyschools.org regularly for information and updates Follow us on School News Notifier, Facebook and Twitter Call our Communications Office if you have additional questions 475 6065 29 Questions/Discussion Remember to vote Tuesday, Feb. 9!!! 23 15