Are any other high-priority school facilities being considered for improvement?

The 2016 MGT facility study also identified Shawsheen and Doherty as high-priority buildings due to their physical conditions. 


Shawsheen has long been identified as a structure beyond its useful life and an expensive building to operate. Attempts to move Shawsheen classrooms to Bancroft as part of that building project were only partially successful; K to 3 moved and the preschool remained. The Andover High School Facility Study Committee recommended a pre-school not be included in a high school project primarily due to site constraints. The district continues to explore options for Shawsheen, including co-location with a new West Elementary, separate construction elsewhere, and partnership with outside organizations for preschool space. 


In May 2018, Town Meeting approved funding of approximately $80,000 for a facility study of Doherty that can help inform decisions for near- and long-term facility improvements.  

Additionally, as part of the West Elementary feasibility study, there may be opportunity to include an evaluation of a middle school on the West Elementary campus. This approach could potentially free up the West Middle building for swing space during a future Doherty renovation or to provide additional capacity to an AHS campus, though these options would not be feasible for many

with a new West Elementary, separate construction elsewhere, and partnership with outside organizations for preschool space. 


In May 2018, Town Meeting approved funding of approximately $80,000 for a facility study of Doherty that can help inform decisions for near- and long-term facility improvements.  


Additionally, as part of the West Elementary feasibility study, there may be opportunity to include an evaluation of a middle school on the West Elementary campus. This approach could potentially free up the West Middle building for swing space during a future Doherty renovation or to provide additional capacity to an AHS campus, though these options would not be feasible for many years.

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1. What has the Andover High School Facility Study Committee been doing? Are there any significant findings from the Andover High School feasibility study?
2. What are the major deficiencies of the Andover High School facility? What current educational standards are not being met?
3. Why is the temperature within Andover High often uncomfortable in winter and summer? What are the major contributing factors?
4. What future enrollment projections is the School Committee using or planning to use to ensure the High School project meets projected future needs?
5. Didn’t Andover recently renovate the high school?
6. Can the state help with Andover’s school facility needs? Has Andover sought this assistance?
7. Why did the district decide to ask for MSBA help for Andover High in April 2018?
8. What are the primary options being considered for Andover High construction?
9. What are the factors to consider in the decision between an addition plus renovation versus new construction?
10. Is “do nothing” an option being considered for Andover High?
11. How can a renovated or new facility provide a better and more current instructional program for students?
12. Why will the MSBA decision in December be a critical milestone for the Andover High project?
13. When will improvements to Andover High begin? When will improvements be complete?
14. Which other Massachusetts communities have undertaken major projects to improve their high schools?
15. Why are multiple schools being considered for renovation or reconstruction at the same time?
16. Why did the district ask the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for help with West Elementary, rather than Andover High, in April 2017?
17. What are the pros and cons of participating in the MSBA program and of building without MSBA partnership?
18. What paths are being taken to address both AHS and West Elementary?
19. When will improvements to West Elementary begin? When will improvements be complete?
20. How are Andover buildings being maintained?
21. Will Andover High continue to be maintained while we are going through this process?
22. How does the town pay for facility construction projects?
23. What is Andover’s track record for past school construction being on or under budget?
24. What is the potential impact of school construction projects on my taxes?
25. I have no children who attend Andover Public Schools. How will this project benefit me and the community?
26. Are any other high-priority school facilities being considered for improvement?
27. What public input has occurred to date? How can the public be engaged in this process?
28. Who will make the decision about which building project(s) to pursue?
29. How accurate are the cost estimates?