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Schools

What's Your Wish List For A New School?

Clinton Community Provides Input On Proposed Morgan School Building At A Forum Held April 26

More than 75 community members gathered in the cafeteria of The Morgan School April 26 to meet with conceptual plan designers David Thompson Architects. The public meeting was the first opportunity for Clinton voters to provide input into what a proposed new Morgan School would look like and include.

With the intent to incorporate as much as possible of community member concerns and interests, the architectural firm took note of what was desired with an eye towards trends. David Thompson, principal of the firm, said he wants to make sure the needs of this specific school are understood. He noted that the Gilbane Building Company will provide refined cost estimates. Previously, these were based solely upon cost per square footage.

Some residents attended to learn more about how a new building's design could contribute to a 21st century education, and how the current design makes that difficult. Some residents asked thoughtful questions about the details such as reimbursement, site location and athletic concerns.

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Thompson began the meeting by reviewing the timeline and managing expectations of what his firm's role is, and the scope the conceptual plans will entail.

This is the first step, he noted. In depth meetings and input from school administration, teachers and students as well as community are paramount to the plan.

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Resident Harry Swaun began the wish list by stating “two gyms are definitely needed.”

Resident Patsy Kumekawa echoed the sentiment on a sustainable building, and added that “it should be student-centric, providing a facility to study technology and the economy, two driving forces in our global future."

Resident Jenny Connif said she would like to see “space for teachers and students to plan and meet collaboratively, and be aesthetically pleasing with outside light and greenery.”

Resident Jane Welch asked to consider “a tower, to maintain the historical aspect of The Morgan School.”

And if they could create a wish list, here were some ideas put forth during the meeting: two gyms, state of the art facility and science labs, sports fields on the complex, modern technology, open spaces, safe traffic flow in hallways and an automotive curriculum and space.

Repeated by more than four speakers was the request for an energy efficient sustainable design.

The Committee hopes to present the conceptual plans by the end of July. Thompson shared that “critical to the process and submission is the State Legislative decision on reimbursement rates.” Clinton is currently at 44 percent for building new (meaning the state will reimburse the town 44 percent of its costs for building a new building under certain restrictions). Reimbursement is on the agenda for this June.

In the end, Thompson alluded that the design will most likely be multi-story, and assured the audience that it would be a sustainable design. The plan will also allow for expansion should that be an eventual concern.

The meeting was followed by a tour of the existing building by school administration. Shared Principal Keri Hagness, “the building will need to reflect driving the type of learning we are implementing, and it boils down to communication and collaboration.”

Thompson added, “the building itself needs to be the heart of the educational efforts to accomplish that connectivity.”

Superintendent Jack Cross shared in response to one of the questions that looking at a new Morgan is tied into the overall philosophy of this administration of collaborative, real world learning.

The ideal facility will reflect this type of education, “it is a shift in thinking and the dynamic of how students learn," he said.

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