State-of-the-art classrooms and spaces for the arts, technology, physical education and other school programming aside; what additional innovative elements will make the next generation of Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) the best possible instructional and community space?

During what Branford Board of Education (BOE) chairman Michael Krause is terming “ideas and needs” discussions, participants are bringing up suggestions including an all-season tennis “bubble,” private individual music rehearsal rooms, a dedicated Community Service space, better health care/nursing space, 3-D lab and other “maker spaces” and hands-on vocational classrooms, among other input.

The first session, held on Nov. 12, also allowed the BOE to review education specifications on the proposed instructional elements the building will offer, presented by Diversified Technology Consultants (DTC) and Stamford architectural firm Perkins Eastman.

The next session is set for Tues. Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the lower media center at Branford High School, to allow more members of the public to hear the education specifications review and to share any ideas and needs suggestions.

Among the education specifications shared by DTC and Perkins Eastman is the recommendation that WIS follow an “upper school” and “lower school” system; with grades seven and eight in upper school programming and grades five and six in lower school programming.

The specifications help frame the project’s educational expectations in order to comply with state requirements which will allow the town to seek a percentage of reimbursement for the final project.

As previously reported at Zip06, three next-generation WIS building models, developed by Perkins Eastman with school and citizen input gathered by DTC, are currently being considered. The models include “like new” renovation (estimated cost before state reimbursement, $77.6 million; estimated final net cost to the town, $52.5 million); “build new” ($92.6 million before reimbursement; estimated net town cost $70.8 million); or a “hybrid” of renovation and new building ($83.3 million before reimbursement; estimated net town cost $55.2 million). For more details on the models and on the town-led WIS project process initiated by First Selectman James B. Cosgrove earlier this year, see http://www.zip06.com/news/20150918/boe-reviews-wis-upgrade-options

Following the close of the Nov. 17 session, the BOE will hold a public hearing on Dec. 2 to gather more public input on the proposed WIS options, said BOE chair Michael Krause.

Once the Dec. 2 hearing is closed, “...if all goes well, and we are happy with what we want to transmit to the town, then the goal -- that doesn’t mean it will happen -- is at our regular board meeting in December, hopefully the board will recommend a building option,” said Krause.

The regular board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16. The BOE’s recommendation will be routed through the Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen and Representative Town Meeting; as the final decision on the project’s selected building option lies with the Town of Branford.

The time and location of the Dec. 2 BOE public hearing, when available, will be listed at http://www.branford.k12.ct.us/  Click on “Walsh Intermediate School Next Generation"