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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCHOOLS MIEN MH TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER MASSACHUSETTS ®pg t0 T> >2.3 :��.• o� RFCE�ivEQ �, 10 147(AMILM rn lass ;m d JOHN I LYONS • cnD Mo TOWN! CLERK w` NORTH ANDOVER o`�b2 Ed Z2 �Z p2 March 91 1971 John J. Lyons, Town Clerk Town Office Building North Andover, Mass. Dear Sir: The following petition was heard at a meeting of the Planning Board on Monday evening, March 1, 1971 at 7:30 P.M. in the Fire Station meeting room. Members present and voting were: William Chepulis, Jr., Chairman; Charles W. Trombly, Jr., Vice Chairman; John J. Monteiro, Secretary; Donald N. Kei.rstead and Robert J. Burke. The SCHOOL COMMITTEE and SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE petitioned to amend the North Andover Zoning By—Law by changing from Industrial "S" District to Country Residence District a parcel of land on Chickering Road containing 3.88 acres, more or less. Harry Dow, Chairman of the School Building Committee, explained that this small portion of the new high school site had to be changed from Industrial to Country Residential in order that it may be used for school purposes. No one else spoke and there was no opposition. The Planning Board met again on Monday evening, March 81 1971 with the same members present. Mr. Chepulis made a motion to recommend FAVORABLE action; Mr. Keirstead seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The following reasons are given: 1. The proposed re—zoning is a public needy and -fulfills public necessity and convenience. 2. This is a proper use of the land and is in the best interests of the town. Very truly yours, PLANNING BOARD Charles W. Trombly, Jr., Chairman AD �I Form 81 P 2 (1963) North Andover Planning Board NOTICE TO TOWN CLERK OF ACTION OF PLANNING BOARD ON PLAN DESCRIBED BELOW n t: Date of Submission of Plan: too MM~, 111""t, r Nee AM1 Wip 4100fteWto Town Clerk, Town of North Andover �1LIA.li Y Town Office Building 16 1970 North Andover, Massachusetts a 4 JOHN J. LYONS Dear Sir: TOWN CLERK yi NORTH ANDOVER We .forward to you herewith the original 'andone r ,copy 2£Z ZZ described below, heretofore submitted to this Board under G.L., c. 41,' s. 81 P, which you may deliver, upon request, to the applicant alcove named, EXACT TITLE OF PLAN, with date and name of Surveyor: "WOp" tine Pian, LMd tie IMWft AMI~* 400sow 00" Myt IMO C 1M Co SM"IN# 11"1sta+lVil 'Lad 8%rVVj4W. Description of land "sufficient for identification": 46*U em# N1en or NNj ~1" 4* "to iaAd oetvrly •ia of CiN~164 Meir Title reference: North Essex Deeds, Book, , page io. Attorney for Applicant: ,kiO�iC >MM�[K A.H.Selisbury, Town Counsel The action taken by this Board upon said plan is indicated upon the reverse hereof. 1 (1) The North Andover Planning Board has determined that said plan does not require approval under the subdivision control law, and the appropriate endorsement has been made upon the same. (2) The North Andover Planning Board has det ed that said plan~ a subdivision, defi ed by G.L. c. , s. 8 L, and must t refore e re-submit ed to it or approval der the ad ntrol law (3/eNorth Andov P g Board has date ed to take no act on upon said plan., _ Very truly yours, NORTH ANDOVER PLANNING BOARD y Date: 1 Form 81 P - 4 (1963) North Andover Planning BP NOTICE TO TOWN CLERK OF SUBMISSION TO PLANNING BOARD OF PLAN DESCRIBED BELOW, BELIEVED NOT TO REQUIRE APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW Name and Address of Applicant: Date of Submission of Plan: "Wlft *#"W /®r 70 SIM Ifto 411111ftWo MillildiNilift X2;3 U YS , v h4�� RECEJ Town Clerk, Town of North Andover W 0 Town Office Building 0 OCT 5 1970 o w North Andover, Massachusetts o JOHN J. LYONS _ro o TOWN CLERK' ti Dear Sir: NORiH ANDOVER SO 2�b Pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c. 41, ss. 81 P an aD bare hereby notified that the plan described below has this day been submitted to the North Andover Planning Board for a determination that approval of the same is not required by the subdivision control law. EXACT TITLE OF PLAN, with date and name of Surveyor: Description of land "sufficient for identification". of 011dwIft Z0010 Title reference: North Essex Deeds, Book , page Attorney for Applicant: 40 A. H. Salisbury, Town Counsel Very truly yours, NORTH NOOVER 5 OOL ILDING COMMITTEE bApplicant SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE North Andover, Massachusetts January 9, 1961 To the Citizens of North Andover: The North Andover School Building Committee presents in the following pages a summary of some of its investigations and study over the past eighteen months. We hope you will understand the reasons why the Committee, starting with one premise for meeting space needs in our Schools, ultimately came to the unanimous conclusion that a revised program was more advantageous both to the Town and to the pupilsn our Schools. The School Building Committee and the School Committee urge you to attend the Special Town Meeting to be held at the High School on Monday, January 16, 1961, at 8:00 P. M. At this meeting you will be asked to vote on two articles affecting the future development of our Public Schools. We hope that some of your questions concerning our plans will be answered as you read these pages; if you have others, members of the Committee will be glad to help you with additional ex- planations at the meeting on Monday. Respectfully, THE SCHOOL BUILDING CCOaTTEE John B. Harriman., Chairman Frederick C. Atkinson John W. Costello Robert W. Friis Francis B. Kittredge William F. Rock S. Forbes Rockwell, Jr. SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE North Andover, Massachusetts WHY DO WE MM MORE SCHOOL SPACE IN NORTH ANDOVER? In October, 1958, the School Building Committee, working closely with the School Committee, began an intensive study of the long-range future needs for additional space in the Public Schools. Brought up to the present date, these are the facts: Present Estimated Enrollment School Capacity Enrollment 1963 1965 [_10 70 Bradstreet 240 243 (Predicted enrollments Thomson 240 256 can be made only in terms of totals for the four Kittredge 258 287 elementary schools.) Franklin 240 260 Total Elementary 978 1046 1011 1121 1224 1300 High School 595 606 759 733 762 777 Total, Grades 1-12 1573 1652 1770 1854 1986 2077 From the above table two facts emerge: 1. The capacity of our four elementary schools has already been exceeded; by 1970, we will be short 322 pupil spaces. 2. The capacity of the High School also has been exceeded; by 1963, we will be short 164 pupil spaces, by 1965 short 138, by 1968 short 167, by 1970 short 182. Our recent growth rate is emphasized by the fact that the first class to graduate from the new High School in 1955 had 72 graduates and the Class of 1960 had 146 graduates. These facts would clearly indicate that additional classrooms and related facilities are necessary in the immediate future. $OW CAN WE PROVIDE MORE SCHOOL SPACE? For the past two years the School Committee and the School Building Committee have been seeking the best answer to this question. Both Committees agreed unanimously in the early stages of their independent investigations that it appeared to be sound procedure to expand the present school plant in order to provide additional space. Three of five buildings--the High School, Kittredge School, and Franklin School--were built so that each could be enlarged. The School Committee, again by unanimous agreement, informed the School Build- ing Committee that it would be desirable to house the 7th and 8th grades under one roof, thus making it possible to provide a better educational program for these pupils. 2. With these two thoughts in mind, that is, the expansion potential of the present plant and the desire to bring the 7th and 8th grades together, the School Building Committee began a detailed study of many possibilities for accomplishing these objectives. More than twelve different schemes were in- vestigated; some were found to be educationally or economically more advan- tageous than others. At this point, it seemed logical to consider expanding the present High School building to a capacity of one thousand pupils in Grades 7-12 inclusive. To do this meant that two new wings would be added to the building and certain in- terior modifications would be made in order to provide for the educational Program for these grades. These were the reasons behind the thinking of the Committee that led to the inclusion of Article 77 contained in the 196o Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Advantages of This Plan: I. A better educational program would be provided for the 7th and 8th grades when all are housed together. (See Page 5) 2. Bringing the 7th and 8th grades to the expanded high school relieves the growing overcrowding in the four elementary schools and makes their capacity for Grades 1-6 wholly adequate for the foreseeable future. 3. With some modification,, the special facilities at the High School would be shared by the 7th and 8th grades, i.e., the gymnasium,, library, industrial arts and home economics spaces, arts and crafts room, auditorium, and playing fields. 4. It was thought originally that the cost of this plan might be less than many of the others. Disadvantages of This Plan: 1. There are those who object strongly to housing 7th and 8th graders in close proximity to the upper grades of the High School, with the resultant intermingling of widely different age groups of pupils. 2. Some interior alterations would be necessary in the present building, and for these there would be no State Aid. Some examples: the present shop and home economics spaces would be too small for a thousand pupils, thus the need for converting the present home eco- nomics room to a shop extension and building a new home economics space; expanding the present library; expanding the present cafeteria kitchen and adding another dining area; and enlarging the locker and shower room facilities in the gymnasium. 3. In the not too distant future the expanding high school and 7th and 8th grade enrollments would exceed the thousand-pupil capacity of the building. At that point, it would be necessary to remove some or all of the 7th and 8th grades and relocate them in other space. At the time that this relocation becomes necessary, the thousand-pupil capacity might temporarily be too large for efficient use of the plant by Grades 9-12, and the 7th and 8th grades together might temporarily be too small to 'justify the construction of a separate unit with its special purpose spaces. 3• As the Committee studied the advantages and the significant disadvantages of adding to the High School, another solution suggested itself: a separate buildag to house Grades 7, 8, and 9. If this were done, the following chart shows our anticipated enrollment by grade groups: Anticipated Enrollment by Grade Groups Grades 1963 1965 1968 1970 1 - 6 767 _ 844 960 963 7 - 9 439 469 458 550 10 - 12 5 541 5 5 1 - 12 1770 1854 1986 2077 The Advantages of the Separate Junior High School Building are: 1. The same opportunities would exist for improving the educational pro- gram for Grades 7 and 8. (See Page 5) 2. The elementary schools would again be relieved of overcrowding and adequate space for Grades 1-6 would be provided for the foreseeable future. 3. Removing Grade 9 from the High School would make it possible for the present building to house Grades 10, 11, and 12 for the foreseeable future without any alterations or additions. 4. The combination of Grades 7, 8, and 9 would provide a unit which would be large enough (450 pupils) to justify the economical utili- zation of the special purpose spaces necessary for the educational program for these grades (shop, home economics, gymnasium, library, music, and art). 5. The 7th and 8th graders would not be in close proximity to the upper clansmen in the senior high school. 6. If the new building were to be built on land which could be acquired adjacent to the present High School site (see map following Page 5), dual use of the existing playing fields would be possible with the resultant saving in the acreage necessary for such a new school build- ing if it were erected elsewhere. 7. The greatest flexibility in terms of long-range planning for future school population growth would be achieved. For example: The "senior" high school could be expanded by a simple addition of class- rooms if the future enrollment ever exceeded 595 Pupils; the "junior" high school could be expanded to 750 pupils in the same way if the need arose; the Kittredge and Franklin Schools, both in the potential growth area of the Town, could be expanded as needed by the addition of classrooms. If additional elementary schools were needed in the future because of growth in new areas of the Town, the schools could be the less expensive six-grade buildings since there would be no necessity for providing the costly special spaces needed for the educational program in Grades 7 and 8. 4. The Disadvantages of the Separate Junior High School Building are: 1. Some people would question the desirability of changing from an 8-4 to a 6-3-3 grade organization. (When one realizes that there are important educational advantages through an improved 7th and 8th grade program, the form of organization becomes relatively unim- portant except as a means to a desirable end.) 2. Some people might believe that the 9th grade should continue to be associated with the senior high school group. (The placement of the 9th grade appears to be controversial, with no unanimity of opinion as to its placement in the ,junior or senior high school. Dr. Conant reports no agreement among educators on this point. We believe that the 9th grade has greater opportunities for leadership in the ,junior high school than it does in the senior high school.) 3. Some people may believe that the present 9th-grade program will be changed to the extent that incoming 9th graders might face a diffi- cult adjustment. (It should be clearly understood that the present 9th-grade program is educationally sound and would remain unchanged. The only difference would be that the 9th grade would be housed in a different building.) 4. The initial cost of the new building would be more than the initial cost of the addition to the High School. (The added cost of more space when the thousand-pupil capacity is exceeded more than offsets the initial difference.) Over the past year and a half the School Building Committee and the School Committee have examined thoroughly each of the possible solutions. They con- cluded unanimously that the most advantageous plan, educationally and eco- nomically, both for the pupils of our schools and the people of our Town, is to build a separate school adjacent to the High School to house Grades 7, 8, and 9. WHAT WILL IT COST TO PROVIDE MORE SCHOOL SPACE? It is obviously impossible to give complete and accurate comparative costs for the many plans studied unless actual drawings are completed. The Committee has, however, asked for estimated cost figures which were all arrived at by using the same estimating base. The figures which follow are not intended to be anything other than general estimates, but they may be used for comparison purposes. Plan I: Two additions to the High School to house Grades 7-12: A. In 1961 $975,000 B. In 1966, or 1967, to rehouse Grades 7 and 8 (without gym- nasium) 624,000 $1,599,000 Plan II: New Junior High School Building with gymnasium $1,250,000 5. WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES OF HOUSING GRADES 7 AND 8 TOGETHER? 1. It makes it possible to provide a program for all pupils that reflects the transitional nature of the 7th and 8th grades away from the child-centered emphasis of the elementary school toward the greater emphasis on subject matter at the high school. 2. It makes it possible to identify $bi.lity and interest levels of all pupils and thus provides opportunities fox' grouping by subject areas for all grade levels. 3. It makes it possible to provide special programs for the very able; for example, in math, science, lang%gW. (The larger group upon which to draw provides the potential for the VAaJ= n number in these special classes.) 4. Guidance and testing services can be Wre effectively planned and provided for all pupils. 5. The larger group provides more talent (and inspirational challenge) for desirable extra-curricular activities, such as student council, assemblies, clubs, intramural athletics, and music in which all pupils are encouraged to participate. 6. Pupils in Grade 9 are given leadership opportunities in the junior high school which they would not have as the youngest group in a senior high school. 7. Special facilities, some of which are not now available, can be provided: library, gymnasium, hot lunch program, home economics, and industrial arts. These facilities are more adequately used by the larger number of pupils. 8. A unified program of required subjects can be provided for all in Grades 7 and 8: English, social studies, mathematics, science, plus art, music, physical education, home economics, and industrial arts. Coordination and articulation of all subject matter instruction may be more effectively worked out. 9. Additional training in the basic skills (reading, arithmetic) may be pro- vided as necessary through special classes for this purpose. 10. A staff of teaching specialists may be developed who are able to devote concentrated effort on their own preparation in the specific subject fields. Ll. A single directing head for these crucial grades can be obtained. 12. Adequate clerical service may be provided to relieve the professional, staff of routine non-teaching responsibilities. 13. It makes it possible (if desired) to take advantage of proven experiments in education: (a) team teaching; (b) large group instruction; (c) teach- ing machines (including a language laboratory). X Jt, e t.�.7 v � ♦ V 4. p J �jy f aX*EX .qt f 11'Y,'.Y•t!-Fa'F-F' .ijil� .. � �� . ter•! . . D s s N p p A \ SS u � 4 e y p a • s ♦ r s e i I sea ` n 1 I I f t fBf ECOX t IOV IEVaq• i 2 z i y q n N r X rewx OF XgRfu anoovE* iOYY eF gOgtN .00019* a n e.r sr.•f Baao / 4 � / p f ` / HagT�N 9VE G �i if NNX OF XORtx AKOOVE* P 4 f •NItt1>t 0 *QOFS q0.0 ' eDRY9 9vEq Vt li 6. WHAT LAND AND HOW MUCH OF IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ACQUIRED? There is land on the other side of the High School playing fields which is particularly suited for school purposes. The map (following Page 5) shows all of the present and proposed school property. The solid black line en- closes the present High School site; the dotted line encloses the additional land needed for an expanded school facility. Of this additional land, com- prising approximately nine acres, the Town of North Andover already owns the clear areas (over one-half of the total); the cross-hatched areas are privately owned. SUMMARY The School Building Committee and the School Committee, after long and careful study of many plans and possibilities, unanimously agree that the best inter- ests of the Town of North Andover and the pupils in its Public Schools will be served by building a new junior high school for the reasons described herein. It is urgent that immediate action be taken in order to provide classrooms by 1962. In order to proceed with the work necessary to present plans and accurate costs for this building at the Annual Town Meeting in March, we ask your favorable consideration of the following two articles: ARTICLE l: To see if the Town will authorize and direct its School Building Committee to expend, from the amount appropriated under Article 77 of the Warrant for the 1960 Annual Town Meeting, such sums as said Committee may deem necessary to procure topographical surveys, borings, plans, specifications, working drawings, estimates of cost, and other data, in order that it may properly advise the Town concern- ing the construction and maintenance of a new North Andover Junior High School building and grounds. Favorable action has been reno=ended by the Advisory Board. ARTICLE 2: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or to transfer from available funds, such sums as it may determine to be the fair and reasonable cost of acquiring for the Town, by purchase, eminent domain proceedings, or otherwise, some or all of those lands described below, for the use of the North Andover Public School System, and to authorize and direct its Selectmen, in the name and behalf of the Town, to take such steps as they try deem necessary or advisable to effect such acquisition: I. Lots 24 through 30 inclusive, as shown on that plan of land en- titled "Beacon Hill," dated October, 1906, drawn by R. W. Seamans, and recorded at the Registry of Deeds for the Northern Registry District of Essex County as Desk Plan No. 0381. 2. Lots 35 through 47, inclusive, as so shown. 3. So much of Lot 48, as so shown, as does not lie within the boundaries of Chickering Road. 4. Lot 88, as so shown. 5. Lot 93, as so shown. 7. 6. Lots 106 through 108, inclusive, as so shown. 7. Lots 111 and 112, as so shown. 8. Lots 166 through 168, inclusive, as so shown. 9. Lots 177 and 178, as so shown. 10. So much of Beacon Hill Boulevard as lies to the west of Chickering Road and to the east of the prolongation southerly of the boundary line between Lots 167 and 168, as so shown. 11. So much of Bay State Road as lies to the west of Chickering Road and to the east of the prolongation southerly of the boundary line between Lots 93 and 94, as so shown. 12. So much of Merrill Street as lies between Beacon Hill Boulevard and Chickering Road, as so shown. Being the parcels shown on that plan of land entitled "Plan of Land in North Andover, Massachusetts, recommended for acquisition for public school purposes by the North Andover School Building Committee," dated November 23, 1960, and drawn by Ralph B. Brasseur, C. E., a copy of which is on file at the office of the Town Clerk. Favorable action has been recommended by the Advisory Board as follows: "It is recommended that the sum of $19,800 be raised and appropriated against the 1961 tax levy for the purpose of acquiring by purchase, taking by eminent domain,, or otherwise, the land and buildings described in this article, and that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby is authorized to act for the Town in connection with this Article, or take any other action in relation thereto." Your affirmative action on these articles at the Special Town Meeting on Janu- ary 16, 1961, will enable us to proceed with plans for meeting the critical need for additional school space. THE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE January 9, 1961 Oversized Maps on file with the Town