School Consolidation
Hamilton Elementary School Consolidation
In 2022, the Cutler School Building was accepted into the Massachusetts State building Authority (MSBA) program as an eligible property to receive state reimbursement upgrades or a brand-new school in its place.
A “School Building Committee” (SBC) was created and selected to work with the state, and a consulting firm, to form an educational plan that would drive the design of the new Cutler Elementary School. After reviewing 15 different proposals (a mix of proposals to upgrade, add to, or completely rebuild a new school at either the Cutler or Winthrop site), the SBC voted in April to consolidate Buker, Winthrop, and Cutler schools, by rebuilding a brand-new school at the Cutler site which will house 740 elementary students.
Let us not forget the importance of all our small neighborhood schools, but especially the historical significance of Winthrop. The Winthrop School was designed by the renown Architect Hugh Stubbins. The architectural value of this school is notable and something our community should be proud of.
Plenty of research done in the past 50 years and published in peer reviewed articles shows unequivocally that the smaller the school the better the learning experience (achievement scores), safety and sense of connection and belonging.
NCPEA Study: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ974350.pdf
Bickel & Howley: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C_CkC0zaoRq6_3L4bVAT9VF-5tA454s5/view
If the MSBA approves the building selection, it may be eligible for percentage of reimbursement for construction related costs. The proposal will be brought to town meeting in April 2025 for taxpayer approval on the cost of the project. If the town approves the cost of the project, Buker will be converted to a pre-K & K only facility and the Winthrop land will be returned to the town of Hamilton. If the town rejects the cost of the project, we will have to resubmit to the MSBA and start the process over again to upgrade our schools with funding from the State.
One of the arguments often misused to support large consolidations is that there are economies of scale in terms of building costs and operation costs. Several studies have shown that such financial advantage is true only if the long-term losses and detrimental effects are ignored.
National Policy Education Center: https://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/consolidation-schools-districts
Caveat
If the land at Winthrop is vacant, Hamilton will look to repurpose the use for adding housing/commercial development. In 2021 Massachusetts passed a zoning mandate called the MBTA Communities Act. The mandate requires towns that provide MBTA service; rezone land within .5 miles of the commuter station at a minimum density of 15 units per acre. Hamilton is required to zone for 731 units, Wenham 356.
By rezoning land (changing our local laws and giving the zoning rights to the State) legally nothing can stop developers from building (even after 731 units have been developed). Given the proximity of Winthrop to the commuter rail, the property becomes vulnerable to the new 3A zoning if the land is vacated by the school district. At 14.8 acres in size, a minimum of 212 high density units would be developed at the site, but all properties within the zoned area are also subject to the new 3A zoning if the owner sells their property to a developer.
Impact
These changes will have massive impacts on taxes, infrastructure, and the landscape of our towns. We will move away from the current three 250-300 student elementary schools, which almost all studies show is the ideal size for K-5 students.
The Select Board, and Finance Committees, in Hamilton & Wenham have not provided cost estimates for adding 50-100 students to the school budget (conservative estimate), updating our water infrastructure to tie into Salem/Beverly; or the impact the 731 dense apartments will have on police & fire. Traffic studies for 1A and Asbury Street have not been completed.
We only have construction costs on how much it will cost taxpayers to build a new 740 student elementary school, which may not even be big enough when all the new citizens move into the 731 units. Any savings materialized by consolidating schools will be quickly erased by the added cost for services.
Large demolitions have a negative impact on the environment, this is an environmental liability for the town. This study finds that it takes 10 to 80 years for a new building that is 30 percent more efficient than an average-performing existing building to overcome, through efficient operations, the negative impacts related to the construction process.
Demolition Carbon Costs: https://restoreoregon.org/2021/04/12/understanding-the-carbon-cost-of-demolition/
Important Update June 2024
On June 6th, 2024, the HW School Committee voted 5-2 in favor of consolidating grades 1-5 into a brand new 740 student elementary school to be built at the Cutler site. Under this plan the Winthrop property will be returned to the town and Buker will be converted into a pre-K & K only school. Prior to the vote, the results of the professional poll were discussed in detail and clearly showed the majority of citizens are not in favor of this plan. The poll results indicate the vote for consolidation will most likely fail at town meeting. Two committee members asked that the option to renovate/replace 1 school be reconsidered based on the poll results, but this request was denied. We highly recommend clicking the link below to watch the June 6th School Committee meeting to hear citizen comments, results of the poll, and the panel discussion that led to the 5-2 vote in favor of consolidation. The panel discussion takes place at 2:48.
https://youtu.be/kCCSDCz51dc?si=YG7pTGoJTU763djQ
What does this mean?
The SBC will now formerly submit the chosen building proposal for approval by the MSBA, which is 1 consolidated elementary school. If the MSBA approves the proposal, the design plans will be finalized and we will learn the final cost for the new building along with the finalized reimbursement rate from the state. Those figures will be brought to town vote to see if tax payers will approve the cost to fund this project. The Winthrop property will be returned to the town and become vulnerable to the 3A zoning requirement from the state. Under this zoning mandate, as of right development of up to 15 units per acre is allowed in the designated 3A district. At a lot size of 14.8 acres, Winthrop School would be torn down and replaced with 212 dense, multifamily units, if the property is sold to a developer. The Hamilton Select Board has made it clear their intent is to have the land sold and developed. At this point, our only chance to preserve our 3 small neighborhood elementary schools, and the character of our downtown, is to use our vote at Town Meetings. Wenham will be voting on the 3A zoning mandate in the Fall of 2024. Hamilton will be voting on the 3A zoning mandate at Town Meeting in April 2025. Both towns will vote on the funding for the new consolidated elementary schools in April 2025.
What can you do?
PAY ATTENTION. Attend school committee meetings, Select Board, and Finance Committee via zoom or in person. Write letters and give our elected officials feedback. This issue has many twists and turns affecting our town and ultimately every member’s pocket. Your opinion matters. Please sign the “Save Our Small Schools” Petition at the bottom of the page & subscribe by adding your email to the “Stay Informed” form below for updates on the Elementary School Project and MBTA Communities Act.