Barrington Public Schools

Fall 2024

Barrington Public Schools and Tecton Architects are working toward Stage III, the design and development phase of the District's school building project.

From September through December 2024, the Schematic Design phase of Stage III will solicit educator and community perspectives on environmental and educational space possibilities. A series of working group meetings, think tanks, and community conversations are planned to involve educators and members of the public in this work.

Winter 2025

The Design Development phase of Stage III is expected to begin in January 2025. This work will include interior design, building systems, and exterior design development. From January through the end of the 2024-2025 school year, a series of working group meetings, think tanks, and community conversations will keep the public engaged and informed in this process.

Summer 2025

The Construction Documents phase of Stage III is expected to begin in Summer 2025. This work includes validating construction plans, costs, and documents required for Stage IV, the construction phase.

June 2021

Barrington Public Schools retained KBA to lead the process of a RIDE Stage I Facilities Assessment and submission. This is part of a state process that is required every ten years in order to be eligible for state matching funds.

The Barrington School Building Committee was formed.

The RI Department of Education (RIDE) approved Stage I of Barrington's Necessity of School Construction application.

BPS moved to Stage II mapping out possible renovation and building options to address the needs identified in the Stage I application.

January 2023

Barrington School Committee voted unanimously to resubmit RIDE Stage I. This effectively restarted the process of creating a Stage II plan of improvement and refocused the previous work of KBA.

March 2023

School Committee hired Downes Construction as an owner's project manager (OPM) for the Stage II process.

June 2023

Downes assisted the School Committee in retaining a new architectural services firm, Tecton Architects. At the same time, the Barrington Town Council and the RI State legislature approved a resolution for school construction for a not-to-exceed amount of $250 million.

August - October 2023

Tecton engaged in schematic design with a target for approval by the Building Committee and the School Committee by mid-October.

The Barrington School Building Committee and Tecton hosted community conversations to engage Barrington residents in the planning process prior to the November Special Election.

November 2023

Barrington's November 2023 Special Election ballot included a question (Question 1) that asked residents whether to authorize a bond for school construction not-to-exceed $250 million.

On November 7, 2023, Barrington voters approved Question 1 which moved the School Building Project forward to meet RIDE's Stage II submission deadline of February 2024.

November - February 2024

The Building Committee and Tecton worked to prepare Stage II of Barrington's Necessity of School Construction application for RIDE. This Stage II work included identifying the scope and projected costs of school construction projects and involved educators in the visioning process.

February 2024

Barrington Public Schools submitted Stage II of its Necessity of School Construction application to RIDE.

May 2024

On May 28, 2024, the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education voted to approve more than $1.3 billion in new school construction projects across Rhode Island, including Barrington's $250 million school building project.

This is a significant milestone for Barrington, as it means funding for the renovation and construction of four like-new schools has officially been secured from the State. It also allows the Barrington School Building Committee and the Committee's team of architects and project managers to continue working toward Stage III of the RIDE Necessity of School Construction application.

Summer 2024

The soils at each school sites are being tested for their composition strength, and seismic capacity.

Phase I Assessments were conducted at each building and site.

An upgrade to the intercom system at Barrington High School will be included into the Stage III renovation. The project engineer developed a set of drawings and specifications that were put to bid in early September.