Plans for new middle school underway

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Plans are taking shape for a new middle school at Hanscom as representatives from the base, Lincoln Public Schools, Department of Defense Education Activity, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and architects met to present ideas and make decisions.

Representatives from the various organizations convened in July to discuss plans for a 21st century school.

Although exact dates are not confirmed, current plans call for students in grades 4 through 8 to move to temporary facilities in the Memorial Park area of the base beginning with the 2012/2013 school year. When construction is complete, students will move into the new school sometime between late fall 2014 or early spring 2015.

"This is an exciting project," said Erich Ledebuhr, Hanscom Middle School principal. "We already have a fantastic program in place. Now, we need a facility to match it."

The plans call for the old school to be torn down and the new school to be built in its place, albeit with a smaller footprint.

Recently, architects met with Hanscom Middle School faculty and staff to gather their thoughts and opinions to incorporate into the design. Afterwards, the planners spoke to people from all parties and emphasized a courtyard concept and multiuse space. They also proposed outdoor learning spaces, capability for wireless Internet connection throughout the facility and a sustainable, energy efficient building.

In addition, planners are making sure the middle school will be fully integrated with the primary school, so when the new primary school project takes shape in several years, the two buildings work together seamlessly.

"These military kids give a lot, just as their parents do," said Mr. Ledebuhr. "Providing a new facility for them to learn and grow is an important part of us giving back to them"

More meetings are slated in the fall to finalize plans. The current middle school was built in the 1950s and has undergone several renovations and added additions. As plans are confirmed, more information will be available to the Hanscom community.