Schematic Design Options and Cost Estimates

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. 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.

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. Over 50 attended the meeting in person and over 50 people participated 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 shown above.  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.