NASHUA – The cafeteria at Elm Street Middle School is deteriorating, while the wood floor and roof create fire hazards, according to architects hired to design new middle schools in Nashua.

As for the price tag of reconstructing Elm Street: nearly $94 million.

“I think that it is time for us to get together and say the building has had it,” Nashua Board of Education member William Mosher said of Elm Street, while speaking during a recent meeting with architects and city officials.

“I think our best option is to fix up the ones that are the least requiring of heavy building and go ahead with the proposal for the newer building,” Mosher added. “That would give us a new building with at least a 50 or 60-year-life and it would be easily upgraded when we need it. The classrooms would be of the proper size, electrical would be modern, the security would be modern and I think that would be the best way to go.”

Last week, project architects from Harriman, as well as representatives from Harvey Construction, met with both the Board of Education as well as members of the public to break down their findings, after extensively analyzing the schools since January.

One of the goals of the project is to create three middle schools. According to the executive summary of the project, which was given to the board by Harriman architects, a majority of the goals and objectives of the project can be met with both concept design options.

The architects came up with school models that include special education spaces, middle school team areas, unified arts areas, safety and security upgrades, athletic, physical education and recreation facilities and more efficient drop-off areas and parking.

For Elm Street, the architects found that there was a significant need for structural upgrades which addresses:

• Deterioration of the school cafeteria’s roof,

• Improper classroom ventilation,

• Combustibility of wood floor and roof construction,

• Inadequate parking,

• Lack of athletic fields and

• Portable classrooms.

For Fairgrounds Middle School, recommended improvements at a cost of $12.1 million include, but are not limited to:

• Upgrades for the school’s gymnasium,

• Locker replacements,

• Addressing pedestrian safety and traffic issues

• Upgrading fire alarm system and

• Replacing exterior doors and frames.

At Pennichuck Middle School, recommended improvements at a cost of $24.6 million include, but are not limited to:

• Replacing portable classrooms,

• Improving the school’s library,

• Replacing lockers,

• Updating storage cabinets, fire alarm system and intercom system,

• Gymnasium upgrades and

• Replacement of water heater.

All three schools also need accessibility improvements.

As for the actual building of schools, the construction of the middle schools is anticipated to begin in the summer at Fairgrounds and Pennichuck middle schools. The expectation is that the construction at Fairgrounds will last for 11 months, while the construction at Pennichuck will take an estimated 14 months.

Should the plan move forward to construct a new middle school, the anticipated construction will begin in winter of 2021 and last about two years.

If it is decided to keep Elm Street Middle School open, the anticipated construction would last about four years.

After the presentation from architects Mark Lee and Jamie Ouellete, board members spoke on the plans.

Board President Heather Raymond and member Ray Guarino suggested safety improvements. Guarino advocated for having a flashing school zone lights on Cleveland Street by Fairgrounds Elementary and Middle schools.

“On Shady Lane near New Searles (Elementary School), they have a nice flashing zone for the school zone and then they have a feedback sign that tells you how fast you’re going. That would be nice for an improvement for Fairgrounds,” Guarino said.

Joint Special School Building Committee Chair Rick Dowd said it is his intent to file legislation next year to ensure that there is proper signage for crosswalks for all the schools in the city.

Raymond said one of the things on her mind is pedestrian safety. She suggested having an overhead crossing.

Also during the meeting, board member Susan Porter asked if Harriman officials had met with the district’s middle school steering committee.

“I would like to see that group really active in the entire process,” Porter said.

Lee said their primary liaison has been Assistant Superintendent Donna Fitzpatrick, and that they have met with staff and administration from all three middle schools.

Nashua Superintendent Jahmal Mosley said officials can facilitate a meeting with that particular committee or any committee.

Board member Howard Coffman suggested having the ground floor level of one of the renovated schools to include the district’s administrative offices, which he said was part of the original request that was made when the project began. Dowd said that it could be an option.

Lee said there is space to have this included, but it is currently not in the floor plan and hasn’t been part of the design.

Now that the data analysis is complete and has been presented to both the Board of Education and the public, the board will meet at a later date to determine their recommendations. From there, the five board members who are on the committee will present their determination, while the entire committee will eventually make a final determination.

Those with more questions on the project may email middleschoolproject@nashua.edu, or visit http://www.nashua.edu/for-community/middle-school-project.

Grace Pecci may be reached at 594-1243, or at gpecci@nashuatelegraph.com.

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