To: James Tokar Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Division of Construction 45 West Gude Drive Room Suite 4300 Rockville, Maryland 20850 Issue: December 11, 2015, Rev. Dec. 17,2015 Project: Thomas A. Wootton High School Renovation/Expansion Meeting: December 2, 2015 Purpose: Feasibility Study, Work Session Meeting #4 Intro: Samaha began the session by briefly explaining what the feasibility study entails and how it leads to develop multiple solutions. The program to site area relationship for the project was shown and main site components were identified. The following are some questions/comments that were discussed prior to the design presentation: ƒ Construction will not start until 2019 with the building scheduled for completion in 2021, and one more year for site improvements. It will be a phased‐occupied construction. ƒ There are no more Montgomery County HS holding schools available. ƒ This project renovation/expansion will increase capacity to accommodate 2400 students. ƒ Space is planned for a future addition. ƒ A round‐table discussion group is currently planned to analyze the capacity and enrollment at Gaithersburg, Thomas Wootton, and Col. Zadok Magruder clusters. After an overview of the existing school and site, design option 4E was presented. Options 4E: ƒ Proposed parking will provide 451 car parking spaces versus the existing 472.There will be room for 30 buses off of Wootton Parkway with an entry drive separate from the staff parking entry (if permitted by the city). The student drop off will be separated from parking traffic and have a passing lane to ease back ups. Staff lot will expand west. ƒ Four tennis courts will be relocated (currently not shown on plans). ƒ Baseball field will be placed past the stream on the west and will be shared with Robert Frost MS to provide the required size as per the MCPS standards. ƒ New gym and second gym will have a combined layout such as that at Gaithersburg HS. ƒ The new auditorium will have 900 seats. The floor will step down between floors to work with grade conditions. ƒ Cafeteria will open to commons area and adjacent courtyard. ƒ Administration and guidance suites will be placed at lower level with the career center at entry lobby. 1 | Page of 5 ƒ
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Media center will sit above admin./guidance suites on southeast corner of school giving the school a more prominent identity. Third floor will house the technology and science suites, making the school partially four‐
stories on the south side. In general, classroom are added and all science and other program spaces get larger to meet current standards, while providing more staff support facilities. Current six year student enrollment is stable at approximately 2200 students. ƒ
Questions and Comments: The audience asked the following questions/made comments regarding the proposed design option, site, and program: ƒ Why is auditorium capacity decreased when currently there is overcrowding at performances? ‐ MCPS explained that the current standard is 900 seats because schools were not able to fill the house. The existing auditorium could be maintained, however, all improvements could not be provided. New facility could improve sightlines, provide a larger and taller stage, provide better lighting with an electronic system. ƒ What will happen to the path to Robert Frost MS once the baseball field is placed on it? ‐ The path will be re‐routed around the field. ƒ Is this the final option? ‐ Although this is the preferred option based on feedback from previous sessions, the feasibility study will include two other options along with cost estimates for consideration by MCPS. ƒ The school will be LEED Silver certified. Samaha proceeded to give a quick overview of the proposed phasing and answered some questions regarding safety concerns: Proposed phasing: ƒ Phase 0 ‐ Involves drilling geothermal wells and placing portables on practice fields. Contractor will stage on existing tennis courts. ƒ Phase 1 ‐ Demolition of Auditorium and building of new wing on north side. One year. Renovation of existing classrooms that will remain. Student parking will be operational. ƒ Phase 2 ‐ Contractor staging will move to south lot after completing underground stormwater management. 2 | Page of 5 ƒ
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New classrooms built on south and west. One year with no student parking. Buses will use staff lot. Phase 3 ‐ Student and staff move back in. Bus loop and parking gets reconfigured. One year Site improvements get completed. Students will be separated from construction activities by full height partitions with positive air pressure on occupied side to maintain air quality. Work activity that produces odors is scheduled for after school hours or school breaks. No construction is allowed above occupied spaces. Background checks are required of contractors and pedestrian circulation paths are not allowed to cross construction areas or activities. The completed project will include an updated mechanical system and radon venting. No academic/athletic programs are shut down during construction. Athletics will be relocated or held at different schools/locations. The design will aim to minimize levels, minimize ramps, and works with sloping site as best as possible. After feasibility study completion, schematic design process will allow for further community feedback and schematic brochure needs to receive approval from the school board. Schematic design funding has been approved and should start next fall. Feasibility study presentation will be posted online on the school's website. The next presentation will be on December 15th at 7:00 pm during the PTSA meeting. This concluded the meeting. Please review these meeting minutes with the proper individuals and advise of any conflicts, additions, or modifications you may wish to incorporate. The presentation and attendance sheet has been included for reference. Cordially, Jenny C. Alvarez, RA, LEED AP Samaha Associates, PC
jalvarez@samaha‐arch.com 3 | Page of 5