This week, the Board of Education (BOE) took its first official look at estimated costs and design concepts for three options to renovate or completely replace Walsh Intermediate School (WIS).

The overview at the Sept. 16 BOE meeting was the latest step in what Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez said will be a continuing process, with many more opportunities for public input and further review by the community and BOE.

Hernandez also praised the project's "transparent" process, noting it is being led by First Selectman James B. Cosgrove. In July, Cosgrove announced he'd retained Hamden-based Diversified Technology Consultants (DTC) to provide a WIS feasibility analysis and cost estimates, including anticipated state project reimbursements. Branford is currently eligible for a state reimbursement rate of 26.79% for new school construction projects and 34.6% for renovated, like-new projects. DTC recently presented its findings to Branford's Board of Finance before heading to the Sept. 16 BOE meeting.

Based on which concept is ultimately selected, gross project costs could range from approximately $77.6 million (final estimated cost to the town: $52.5 million) to approximately $ 92.6 million (final estimated cost the town: $70.8 million).

All of the concepts do away with WIS's current "open classroom" design and bring windowed, natural light into the building's new classrooms, which will be designed as enclosed learning spaces with doors and modern safety features. Each version also seeks to optimize energy efficiency and routing for bus and a parent student drop-off. All of the options create separate space for fifth graders, the school's youngest population. WIS currently houses Branford Public School students in grades 5 – 8.

DTC worked with Stamford architectural firm Perkins Eastman to develop four types of choices, presented as three concepts. DTC president Shay Atluru, project management professional Robert Hammersley and Perkins Eastman principal Joseph Costa, AIA brought the concepts to the BOE on Sept. 16.

The first concept, like-new renovation, keeps the existing building, which Hammersley described as "robust and well-maintained." This plan has the lowest estimated gross project cost, $77.6 million, (estimated town contribution $52.5 million).  It includes full renovation of the gym and pool; exterior façade windows added to the entire building and newly constructed traditional classrooms with exterior window views. The plan cuts a hole into the center of the building to create a windowed, open-air courtyard where the Media Center stands today. The courtyard would be surrounded by traditional classrooms with windows pulling in the natural light. Estimated completion date is April 2020.

"So essentially, we're turning the building inside out; allowing the classrooms to face out and bring in that natural light that everyone likes," Costa explained.

Concept two, building a new facility, was offered with options "A" and "B". Option A retains the pool and gym.

"The town has this fantastic facility...normally you don't see that in a middle school," noted Costa. "There are very few opportunities to build a new school and have a pool reimbursed by the state; so that was the motivation." Option A's estimated gross cost is $91.9 million; or $60.1 million net cost to the town. Estimated completion date is November 2019.The BOE will continue its review of the WIS options, with opportunities for public input at upcoming BOE meetings. Meeting dates and agendas are announced at www.branford.k12.ct.us

Option B: an entirely new school built on the property's open land (incorporating the current track and field), although bordering wetlands would need to be a planning consideration. Once the new building opens, demolition of the old school creates space for new sports fields. Option B's estimated gross cost is $92.6 million; or $70.8 million net to the town.  Estimated completion date is June 2019.

The third concept is a hybrid of renovation and new.  The idea keeps the existing pool and gymnasium and a section of the existing building, all which would be renovated; while slicing off what Costa termed "the most problematic part" of the building -- the open classrooms and Media Center space at the rear.

"The new addition would create, "... a purpose-built, brand new state of the art facility," designed for 21st century teaching, said Costa, adding once the new addition's complete, "...we move the children into that part of the building, and demolish the old part."

The addition would continue the line of the school façade facing Damascus Road, with the new addition stretching out toward the current tennis courts and parking lot for staff and visitors.

With an estimated project cost of $83.3 million and anticipated cost to the town of $55.2 million, this option would cost about as much as the low-end "like-new" renovation option, Costa said.  Other positives Costa described include keeping good-condition existing building components, streamlining construction phasing with a shorter time completion than "like new" renovation, less disruption to learning and excellent separation between parent and bus drop offs (buses out front, parents around back).  Estimated completion date is December 2019.

"It makes for a pretty good plan," Costa told the BOE. "Quite frankly, it's got a lot of merits to it."