To: Issue: James Tokar Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Division of Construction 45 West Gude Drive Room Suite 4300 Rockville, Maryland 20850 December 10, 2015 Project: Thomas A. Wootton High School Renovation/Expansion Meeting: October 22, 2015 Purpose: Feasibility Study, Work Session Meeting #2 After a brief introduction of the design team and the MCPS staff, Samaha proceeded to present the general scope of the project and listed some of the current issues that need to be addressed as found during the previous session's discussion. When the audience was asked for additional issues, they stated the following: Issues: ƒ Traffic on the student drop off lane backs up into Wootton Parkway ƒ Buses and car are intermingling in the bus loop ƒ The service area is an unfavorable image of the school ƒ The dining room's ceiling is low ƒ The existing auditorium is 1200. Samaha and MCPS explained the current standard is a 900 seat capacity. If existing auditorium remains, it will modernized, but without the additional height and storage. If new is built, it will have the required 900 seats. Design Options: Samaha showed the design options from the previous work session and explained the new options being considered as follows: ƒ Previous Option 1A ‐ Maintains and renovates major existing portions and includes small additions. This option will not be used. ƒ Option 2A ‐ Creates a new activity wing with a new auditorium, art and music suites, and the student dining. Maintains current gyms, places student drop‐off along the parkway, and reuses the 2001 classroom addition. New three‐story science wing is located on the south side. ƒ Previous Option 3A ‐ Places a new activities wing on the north which includes new gyms. The entry, admin, and tech labs would be relocated to the south and the art suite is moved near the central courtyard/commons. The science suite would be reconfigured throughout the second floor. This option will not be used. 1 | Page of 5 ƒ
Option 4A ‐ Demolishes the majority of the existing school, but maintains the 2001 addition. Double stacked bus loop is shown along the parkway with a relocated entrance & exit which also serves the staff parking. Administration is relocated to the south with the media center above, a three‐story science wing, a new music suite, auditorium and student dining is placed on the north. The main and second gym will be combined on the main level. The art suite is renovated and expanded within the existing footprint. ƒ Option 4B ‐ Very similar to Option 4A, except this option places the main entry directly at the south east corner of the building, as opposed to the administration suite as in 4A.\ Questions/Comments: Following the options presentation, parents and staff asked questions. Samaha and MCPS addressed them and these were the concerns discussed: ƒ The baseball field shown in option 2A is too small as existing. Samaha to consider switching softball and baseball locations. This will place baseball across the property line to be shared with the adjacent Robert Frost MS. ƒ Softball and baseball fields cannot be overlapped as suggested by a parent, since they have different pitch mounds and due to Title 9 requirements, male and female fields and equal sports opportunities have to be provided for use during the same periods. ƒ The proposed kitchen and dining will aim to hide the loading from view. Art and music suites will be closer to auditorium. ƒ 4A impacts a large portion of existing building ‐ main entry on lower level transforms 2nd gym into tall student commons area. ƒ Proposed relocation of entry drives and site curb cut changes have to be approved by the City of Rockville. ƒ 2nd gym could be converted into college institute/student activities. ƒ Students can attend meetings and can work with principal to meet with students/SGA and provide feedback/ ideas and raise concerns. ƒ A parent suggested that the school be renamed after Dr. Doran. This idea has to go through community to the Board of Education. ƒ The new school capacity has to accommodate 2,400 students. Currently there are 2,184. This calls for a 200 seat addition. ƒ New enrollment projections will be released on Oct. 28th, 2015. ƒ The Great Seneca development has been considered during growth projections. Mr. Bowers has released Supplement C recommendations last week to address population growth in the Magruder/Gaithersburg/Wootton clusters. They are taking a comprehensive look at how to reduce overcrowding at Gaithersburg. ƒ When asked about the possibility of a new high school (at different location), Mrs. Szyfer explained that although MCPS has a possible site for a high school, there is not enough growth to warrant a new high school. 2 | Page of 5 ƒ
There have been signs put up around possible future school sites for information ‐ doesn't mean project is imminent. ƒ There will be a Round Table study in the spring, recommendations will be made next fall. ƒ For growth at Wootton HS, the design team plans space for a future addition. ƒ Estimated project timeline is: Feasibility study will move straight into Design. Design will take approximately two years. Once construction starts another 2 years. Tentatively it will start in 2019 and end in 2021. ƒ Samaha briefly explained the implications of a phased‐occupied Rev‐Ex and how kids will move around site and relocated back into completed spaces. ƒ There is funding approved for the design of the project and construction funding will be approved at a later date. After a review of the options presented, these were some additional suggestions/ comments: ƒ Why not build above kitchen and cafeteria. ‐ This idea will be explored, but it is more complex due to the high volume spaces. ƒ Difficult to go in and out of lower student lot. Options showing buses not mixed with students are preferred. ƒ Parking garages are not feasible, since they are expensive and a security concern. ƒ Wootton Parkway back up is a problem. ƒ Bus/Car intermingling in bus loop. ƒ Proposed drop off with passing lane will help to prevent backups on street. ƒ The proposed bus loops are for 30 buses in afternoon, if they need more than 30 buses, these will need to be timed. ƒ It is preferable to have the buses along Wootton Parkway and the student drop‐off at student entry. ƒ Playfields cannot be placed on roofs since a lot of mechanical equipment goes on the roofs and fields would require having a 10' fence along roof perimeter. ƒ The number of existing student parking spaces is about 200. Many kids currently park at Giant and it is proposed to become a development. This will create more demand. ƒ Tennis courts cannot be placed on roof as in other more urban cities. Since Robert Frost MS already has tennis courts, Wootton HS may be sharing these with the MS site. ƒ A 3rd level and going more vertically should be considered. ƒ Another idea could explore expanding school toward stadium and adding more parking at staff area. ƒ Parents would prefer to not reduce capacity of auditorium. Mrs. Szyfer explained it was designed for 1,200 in the 60's ‐ most programs don't fill the house. Standard was then reduced to 900 students. Existing auditorium can be maintained, but will not provide all improvements. New facility can improve sightlines. Parents mentioned events are currently crowded. It is suggested that school provide multiple performances and manage assemblies to address overcrowding. Balcony seating will not be considered due to expense and the capacity will still be 900 seats. 3 | Page of 5 ƒ
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The Division of long range planning website will have timeline recommendation. Wootton Parkway traffic patterns are partly due to narrow street, but widening street may pose a danger to students/pedestrians and such change has to be approved by city. ƒ Design team needs to consider solutions to clear traffic off of Wootton Parkway while maintaining as much parking as possible. ƒ Natural light into classrooms is important ‐ windows in all classrooms. ƒ Existing auditorium is currently not on the same elevation or level as rest of school ‐ not ADA accessible. Staff wants to move and improve auditorium ƒ To ensure that construction activities are not a safety issue while students are present, a CM is brought in, early into the design phase, they try to move staff and students only once, have time allocated for some work after school hours and strive to finish work sooner. Contractor also has to maintain full height partitions sealed with positive air pressure in student areas to maintain air quality. ƒ If asbestos is present, it will be abated according to OSHA guidelines and while students are out. ƒ Lessons learned from other projects have led to bring construction manager in as early as possible ƒ Appealing entrances should be considered from both directions/entries on Wootton Parkway. ƒ Medians and curbs are preferred, design should not rely on painted lines on the road to control traffic. ƒ One option should be considered with existing Auditorium and a more compact plan. ƒ Large part of community comes from East. Main entry at East preferred by some ‐ lower level preferred by others. (In general coming from different or BOTH directions) ƒ Moving softball field will create room for larger parking lot on the north side. ƒ Presentation will be loaded on Wootton HS' main page online. ƒ Proposed schedule will be published next week ‐ current projected building opening is August 2021. 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 4 | Page of 5