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Please join the Barrington Public Schools, Town Council Members, School Committee members, and School Building Committee members for our first Community Workshop on Monday January 31 5:30-7:30 PM. The Zoom link to attend is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81932190448

In the spring of 2021, Barrington Public Schools solicited design services for assistance in preparing a Master Facilities Plan and aid the district in submissions to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) School Building Authority (SBA).  Kaestle Boos Associates were selected through this public process.  In September 2021, BPS successfully submitted the Stage 1 Application.  The submission process is required in order for Barrington to receive reimbursement from the state at a base rate of 35% for any repair work and construction in the District.  There are currently several additional incentives which could allow Barrington to receive up to 52.5% reimbursement should the solutions developed align with the incentive bonuses.  

The Rhode Island Department of Education Necessity of School Construction process includes multiple phases.  Kaestle Boos Associates has been contracted to assist in the submission of Stage 1 and Stage 2.  The process indicated on the RIDE website includes the following description:

The Necessity of School Construction process is a multi-stage application that requires LEAs to conduct thorough assessments toward the creation of an efficient and prudent masterplan.

STAGE I – IDENTIFICATION OF NEED

Stage I begins with LEAs submitting a Letter of Intent, as well as a commitment to follow the School Construction Regulations and all applicable statutes and regulations. During Stage I, LEAs conduct facility conditions assessments, prepare demographic projections, and provide educational programs for each school facility. Through the careful study of these factors LEAs attain a comprehensive understanding of districtwide capacity, enrollment trends, and the alignment of existing facilities to the educational program being offered in each school.

STAGE II – DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLUTION

During Stage II, LEAs work with an architectural and engineering team to propose solutions to the identified issues. This process requires the development of schematic design documentation that can be used to provide dependable cost estimates. These scope descriptions and the accompanying costs are the basis for establishing a budget and project descriptions that are forwarded to the SBA Advisory Board and the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. 

Included in the Stage 1 submission was facility assessment data collected by architects, engineers and educational planners including existing conditions, costs for repairing the schools, and educational goals for the future of education in Barrington as determined by the Educational Leadership Group.  Tours of all schools and meetings with each school Principal was also completed over the Summer of 2021. 

Since that submission, Kaestle Boos Associates has been working towards a Stage 2 Submission which will occur in the Fall of 2022.  Student and staff surveys were completed to understand the challenges and goals of the educators and students who are the primary users of the educational facilities.  Visioning sessions with staff and students in elementary, middle, and high school were completed November 2021 – January 2022.  These sessions have provided data which will be used to inform decisions regarding the direction of the project.  On January 31, the team will provide a presentation of the facility and educational data to the community followed by a facilitated Q&A session.  

This is the first of many opportunities for the community to be able to ask questions and provide feedback.  Community members are also welcome to attend all School Building Committee meetings.  A detailed schedule of all upcoming meetings will be provided in February. Due to COVID restrictions, these meetings may be conducted virtually.  

Please join us in moving our Public Schools into the future and giving our students the best possible education.

Thank you.

Mike Messore