Branford's elected education leaders are recommending a hybrid building project to create the next generation Walsh Intermediate School (WIS), at an estimated final cost of $56 million to the town.

Following months of research, several public meetings and a public hearing, the full Board of Education (BOE) voted unanimously on Dec. 16 to select the hybrid building model, and to transmit that recommendation to the town.

BOE chairman Michael Krause noted while the Board of Finance (BOF) sets costs, he felt the town would appreciate the BOE's show of "due diligence" by including a project price tag with its recommendation. The hybrid model carries an estimated pre-reimbursement project cost of $88.2 million. It is eligible for the maximum state reimbursement of 36 percent, which boils the final cost to the town down to approximately $56 million.

The BOE's recommendation on Dec. 16 followed a process initiated by First Selectman James B. Cosgrove earlier this year, when Cosgrove announced the town would hire consultants to conduct a feasibility study and create options for the next WIS building. The findings led to three building options: renovate as new, build new, or create a hybrid. The options, together with anticipated costs, were shared with the BOF; then given to the BOE as a springboard to refine and recommend a final concept.

The BOE and Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez worked closely with consultant group Diversified Technology Consultants (DTC) and Stamford architectural firm Perkins Eastman to hone project recommendations and make the selection. The process included input from WIS and other Branford Public Schools (BPS) administrative staff, faculty and the public.

On Dec. 16, BOE chair Michael Krause first asked the BOE to accept the project's education specifications, including several amendments which added $5 million to the original hybrid model pre-reimbursement estimated cost of $83.2 million.

The amendments include: a sloped-floor auditorium, eight "common rooms" (two for each grade, where teams/teachers can work cooperatively), increased-size science labs, an increased-space video studio, adding two design tech "maker" labs, a dance/movement room, a fitness/workout room, and additional orchestra room, specialized service space (for staff support/intervention for at-need students), a retooled media center to include traditional research space as well as new project work areas, a larger nursing suite and comprehensive space for WIS's growing school-based health clinic, a slight increase to administrative (secretarial and storage) and maintenance spaces, and increased/more private space for the Guidance Department.

"All those items are all for our programs," said Krause of the amendments. "They have a direct result on our programs and are reimbursable by the state."

The specifications, with amendments, were unanimously accepted by BOE vote on Dec. 16. The specs now create a guide for the final layout and design of the next-generation WIS building.

Other amendment ideas which didn't make the cut; but which the BOE felt had some merit for possible future consideration: an artificial turf field, a baseball field and an all-weather track; all of which are "possibly partially reimbursable" by the state, said Krause. In addition, the board recognized some merit in a possible future tennis "bubble" for all-weather community use, although it wouldn't be eligible for state reimbursement.

Once completed, the hybrid WIS building will continue to serve BPS students in grades 5 – 8. A grade 5-6 "lower school" and grade 7-8 "upper school" concept will be incorporated. A section of the building will also house BPS Central Office.

The protocol for the hybrid construction plan calls for building all-new instructional space while continuing education programming in the current WIS building. The addition would be feathered into open space where the WIS tennis courts and parking lot stand today. Once the new space is complete, students would be shifted into the new building and renovation and upgrades the original WIS would get underway, including the existing pool and gymnasium.  Finally, the two buildings would be physically connected to become the next generation WIS.  The hybrid WIS approximately doubles the size of the current WIS.

When Perkins Eastman principal architect Joseph Costa first brought the hybrid concept to the BOE on Sept. 16, he said adding the new building creates a "...purpose-built, brand new state of the art facility," designed for 21st century teaching.  The addition includes traditional classrooms, with interior walls and doors and exterior windows to bring in natural light. Renovations to the current WIS building would slice off what Costa termed "the most problematic part," at back, removing the open classrooms and Media Center space.

On Dec. 16, Krause said the rational for selecting the hybrid building concept included the fact it allows the town to receive the maximum state cost reimbursement; permits phasing-in to minimize disruption to the educational process; creates a new wing, new public spaces and is the most cost-efficient of the three original options.

"It is one of the biggest projects that this town has taken on," said Krause. "We're looking forward to it and it's going to be the benefit of our school children, and our future school children, up to the next generation. It's been a lot of hard work from a lot of different people; the Board of Education, the administration... but as far as I'm concerned, the most important has been the public. The public has been very instrumental (and) without that input, we wouldn't be here today."

Next, the BOE's recommendation will be transmitted to the BOF, Representative Town Meeting and Board of Selectmen for a final decision. When presented in September, the estimated completion date for the hybrid WIS concept was given as December 2019.