We are working hard to share SBC news to all community members. You can help us by sharing this link to our email newsletters and/or directing people to sign up on our Town webpage.
SBC Meetings: Meetings take place in the Public Safety Building @ 7:00 PM in person and on ZOOM.All community members are welcome!
Wednesday, March 5th 2025
The Dale Street School has been the location for the students of Medfield for decades. It was built as a High School in 1942 with a major addition added in 1962 when it became an Elementary School. It is now over 80 years old!The School Building Committee, created in 2023, is charged with figuring out whether the community wants to build a new elementary school or do an addition/renovation of the current building. It’s time to modernize our educational facility!
FEBRUARY UPDATE
At the February meeting the SBC went through some of the administrative requirements in Module One of the MSBA process. There are many forms that the SBC will need to submit starting April 1, 2025.One of the first MSBA requirements is to create a School Building Committee. Medfield already created a school building committee (SBC) that has been meeting since January 2023. To comply with the MSBA’s guidelines for the makeup of a school building committee, the SBC will add two additional nonvoting members: a Local Chief Executive Officer (Select Board Member), and a Local Official Responsible for Building Maintenance.
Enrollment Data: The SBC must present enrollment data to the MSBA. The SBC reviewed the enrollment study completed in the spring of 2024 by FutureThink. We discussed their low, moderate, and high projection numbers for the Dale Street School. Though no decisions were made, the SBC discussed at length what number might be best for a future building project with many members expressing support for using the higher projection number of approximately 500 students.
If you are interested in understanding what is required in Module One please check out the MSBA website. It has a very detailed explanation of all steps.
TOWN MEETING One of the requirements in Module One is the town must successfully approve the money for a Feasibility Study. The Feasibility Study is in Module Two. At previous Town Meetings, the SBC received funds for a future Feasibility Study. We currently have 1.1 million. After discussing what Feasibility Studies are currently costing neighboring towns, the SBC decided that 1.5 million will be needed. At our annual May Town meeting there will be a Warrant Article requesting additional funds for this important next step in a future building project. We hope to see you at the Annual Town Meeting! (Monday, May 5th @ 7:00 P.M.)
CALLING FOR NEIGHBORHOOD CAPTAINS! Do you want to be part of a successful future building project??? The SBC has been discussing a variety of ideas for involving and informing community members as we move forward with the Dale Street School building project. One idea is to create Neighborhood Captains. These individuals would help the SBC by sharing and gathering information. Though we are in the very early stages of planning, we envision a process in which the SBC members would provide support, fact sheets, links,… to the neighborhood captains who would then disseminate information. Having an informed, involved community is VITAL to creating a successful future building project. If you think this is a way that you could help the SBC, please send a brief email with your name and address to casey_sbc@medfield.net.
GREAT NEWS FROM THE MSBA Did you know? Medfield has been accepted into the MSBA Reimbursement Program for 2025! Want to learn more about the MSBA process? Check out their website- MSBA
SBC Video Update 2/5/2025Click the link to view a short video with an update from the February 5th meeting. Video
All of the SBC updates and meeting packet materials can be found on the Town webpage by clicking Medfield School Building Committee in the menu under Government.
Sign up for information from the Medfield School Building Committee!
Do you want to stay informed on the proposed new elementary school project? The MSBC is making it even easier for you! Sign up for our email newsletter today!
Posted onFebruary 5, 2025|Comments Off on Peak House Heritage Society Creates the “Traveling Trunk” with MFi Legacy Fund Grant
From the Peak House Heritage Society –
Hello Pete,
Recognizing the continuing partnership with the Directors of Medfield Foundation’s Legacy Fund, the Heritage Center Directors proudly announce the arrival of the Peak House Traveling Trunk.
What’s the Trunk’s Purpose?THE PEAK HOUSE TRAVELING TRUNK will transport the material culture and history of the Peak House into Medfield classrooms.
Initially it will engage about two hundred twenty-four (224) Third Grade students while traveling to nine (9) classrooms at the Ralph Wheelock School.
In order to foster greater student interest in early Medfield and Peak House cultural history, the Traveling Trunk will contain a variety of discovery resources selected by Nicole Sheehan and Erin Watson, both highly-qualified Third Grade teachers at that school.
– A detailed teacher’s notebook and lesson plans – Actual historical artifacts and authentic reproductions – Maps, graphics, games, crafts – Student reading and reference material, activity sheets and discussion questions
This project directly addresses Massachusetts Academic Standards for this grade level and correlates with existing PHHC exhibits.
How was This Initiative Funded?In March 2024, the Legacy Fund awarded a grant to the Peak House Heritage Center to address the inadequacies of traditional field-trip experiences at the Peak House with a new initiative designed for creativity and discovery in Third Grade classrooms
.
What’s the Trunk’s Connection to Medfield History?
The developer of the Clark Tavern Condominiums next door to the Peak House contributed material from the 1742 Tavern as his way of repurposing and extending that site’s historic legacy.
What’s the Trunk’s Appearance?
What are the
Trunk’s Contents?
Seen surrounding the Trunk are some of the items: gravestone reproductions with rubbing paper and colored waxes, joinery samples, artifacts in acrylic cases. Also included are lesson plans, activity sheets, photos of early downtown Medfield and more.
What’s Its 2025 Schedule?
Classroom workstations with the Trunk’s collection will roll out in mid-March according to curriculum designers and teachers Erin Watson(l) and Nicole Sheehan.
Our Thank You for Partnering
The Heritage Center Directors are most grateful for the insight and support of the Legacy Fund Directors to provide this unique learning opportunity.
Our Contact InformationPeak House Heritage Center52 South Street (Business Office) Medfield, MA 02052-2616508-505-7742 http://peakhouseheritagecenter.org You are being sent this email because you are a subscriber.
Comments Off on Peak House Heritage Society Creates the “Traveling Trunk” with MFi Legacy Fund Grant
I attended the Massachusetts School Building Authority meeting this afternoon at the request of the Superintendent to represent the Town of Medfield Select Board, and I am happy to report that the MSBA just voted to accept Medfield back into its program.
School Committee Chair Michelle Kirkby shared the town’s remarks and thanks.
From Patti Allen of the Medfield Music Association –
Event: Learn to Swing Dance!
Where: Dale Street Gymnasium
When: Friday, October 18th, 7:00 PM – 9:30PM
Why: Listen to great swing music from the Medfield High School Jazz Band, learn a few new moves, and help provide financial assistance for the upcoming MHS Music dept. Disney World trip!
On Friday, October 18th from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM there will be a “Learn to Swing Dance Night” for adults and students in the Dale Street Gym!!
For one night only…the Dale Street Gymnasium will be transformed and the award-winning Medfield High School Jazz Band will be performing LIVE as your “house band.” It’s sure to be a fun-filled and entertaining evening so spread the word to friends and family! All are welcome (you do not need to be a Medfield resident to attend).
Medfield School Building Committee (Courtesy Image)
Medfield School Building Committee Site Selection SURVEY
The School Building Committee (SBC) is asking for feedback about the site selection of a future elementary building project.
Our committee was appointed in January 2023 to address the deteriorating physical conditions of the Dale Street School. We held 4 public forums in May 2024. At the forums we updated the community about our work, gathered feedback on site selections, and discussed various aspects of a building project.
Fifty-seven community members voted at the 4 forums on site selection. We are seeking your input now with this survey to gain additional insights into the community’s point of view.
Thank you for providing your input at this time via this survey. YOU are vital to this process.
Posted onMay 16, 2024|Comments Off on MSBC upcoming forums 5/19, 5/29, & 5/30
SBC Forums • Wednesday, May 15th, Dale Street School cafeteria @ 7:00 p.m • Sunday, May 19th Dale Street School cafeteria @ 4:00 p.m. • May 29 at the Town House @ 11:00 a.m • May 31st the Senior Center @ 10:30 a.m
Medfield School Building Committee Letter to the Community
Dear Medfield Community,
May 1, 2024
The Medfield School Building Committee (SBC) is writing to update the community on our work. We want to share a very preliminary estimate of what a future building project may cost. When we use the words “future building project” this means a new building OR an addition/renovation (add/reno) of the Dale Street School. What we actually build will be determined after thoroughly discussing all options and gathering extensive feedback from the community.
Medfield constructed the original Dale Street School during the 1940’s. The building is well past its useful life, and it should either be replaced or subject to an add/reno process.
The reality which we are facing is that the cost of this project is going to be high, and we do not want this to be a shock to the community. We do not know precise figures but we felt providing the community with a financial framework would be prudent. Based on very high level estimates, a new school for 475-500 students will cost between $90-100 million. There are many variables that will ultimately influence the project cost such as interest rates at the time the Town seeks a bond to finance construction, design of the proposed project, the cost of project materials, and the cost of modular units (temporary classrooms for students) if an add/reno option at the current Dale Street location is used. If you assume that the town borrows $93 million at the current projected interest rates, the cost per average household (based on a valuation of $902,000 – (the average home valuation in Medfield) will be approximately $983 per year with Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funding, or $1,341 per year without MSBA funding.
Each year the MSBA selects a number of schools to receive state funds to offset some of the cost of school building projects, and we estimate the amount of state reimbursement for our project’s eligible expenses to be approximately $20-25 million. In 2023, the Town reapplied for MSBA Program funding, but the MSBA did not invite Medfield back into the MSBA Program. The Select Board and School Committee reapplied to the MSBA Program for December 2024. If the Town does not get invited into the MSBA Program funding in December 2024, then Medfield will need to consider doing a building project without the MSBA support, which means funding the entire project.
Some of you may be wondering: Would an add/reno option cost less than new construction? We do not know the answer to that question at this time, The FutureThink company just provided Medfield with an updated enrollment projection which will be very helpful in planning the size and scope of the building project. Please check the SBC website to read their report.
Your engagement as we continue to evaluate options is critical, The SBC is planning to conduct a series of forums with Town residents in the hope of receiving feedback and questions related to cost and other matters.
The focus of our first forums will be on location.
SBC Forums • Wednesday, May 15th, Dale Street School cafeteria @ 7:00 p.m • Sunday, May 19th Dale Street School cafeteria @ 4:00 p.m. • May 29 at the Town House @ 11:00 a.m • May 31st the Senior Center @ 10:30 a.m
MEDFIELD SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Mike Weber (Co-Chair) Meredith Chamberland (Co-Chair) Michelle Kirkby I.co Brehm William C. Werner Robert Meaney Teresa James Anthony Papantonis Peter Michelson Robert Worth John Messina Carolyn Casey
Comments Off on MSBC upcoming forums 5/19, 5/29, & 5/30
Posted onMay 8, 2024|Comments Off on New School Building Committee Public Forums: 5/15 at 7PM, 5/19 at 4PM, & 5/29 at 11AM
New School Building Committee Public Forums
From the School Building Committee website –
SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
May 2024 SBC UPDATE:
The SBC heard a presentation from FutureThink explaining their recent enrollment projection findings. The findings aligned with the previous NESDEC enrollment projections. You can read the full report on our Town website page
The SBC finished editing a letter to distribute with the community that gives a financial update about the possible costs associated with building a new school or doing an add/reno project. A financial update was presented to the SBC in March by the Warrant Committee co-chair Stephen Callahan. School Building Committee (03-06-2024)
Forum Planning: The SBC discussed/planned the May forums with a focus on site options for the future building project. Please join us at one of these locations: May 15th@7:00 Dale Street School cafeteria, May 19th @ 4:00 Dale Street School cafeteria, May 29@11:00 Town House second floor, May 31st@10:30 Senior Center.
The SBC now has a Facebook page to provide another avenue for sharing updates and important information with the Medfield community. If you have a FB page, search for the Medfield School Building Committee to get the update.
Click here to read the Top 10 Questions recently asked of the SBC.
The following is the 12/13/2023 letter from the Massachusetts School Building Authority denying Medfield’s request for consideration for funding support this year.
I started this blog to share the interesting and useful information that I saw while doing my job as a Medfield select board member. I thought that my fellow Medfield residents would also find that information interesting and useful as well. This blog is my effort to assist in creating a system to push the information out from the Town House to residents. Let me know if you have any thoughts on how it can be done better.
For information on my other job as an attorney (personal injury, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, and real estate), please feel free to contact me at 617-969-1500 or Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.
What’s the Trunk’s Purpose?THE PEAK HOUSE TRAVELING TRUNK will transport the material culture and history of the Peak House into Medfield classrooms.
How was This Initiative Funded?In March 2024, the Legacy Fund awarded a grant to the Peak House Heritage Center to address the inadequacies of traditional field-trip experiences at the Peak House with a new initiative designed for creativity and discovery in Third Grade classrooms
What are the 
What’s Its 2025 Schedule?
Our Thank You for Partnering
On Friday, October 18th from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM there will be a “Learn to Swing Dance Night” for adults and students in the Dale Street Gym!!
Buy tickets here: 
$20 for adults
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