If you have never had an opportunity to visit Franklin High, and you want to see what folks are talking about relative to the condition of the building, then click below and spend about 9 minutes walking through the facility. This video tour takes you through the building, highlighting the science labs, lecture hall/auditorium, classrooms, computers, and other areas where the facility needs work.
You can view the complete written report on the recently completed feasibility study by clicking here. The Milford Daily News report on the most recent discussion of the FHS project can be viewed by clicking here. You can also view the architect’s presentation on the renovation options by clicking here.
On February 26, 2008, Michael McKeon, from the architectural firm Kaestle Boos Associates (KBA), presented the final report on the Franklin High School feasibility study to the School Committee. KBA presented three design options for renovating and adding to the building, with costs ranging from $93 to $100 million, and a fourth scenario to build a completely new school for $120 to $130 million.
The feasibility study was necessary to address concerns about the building that were raised in the NEASC accreditation report issued in 2005. With this project, the Town of Franklin is seeking to move the community’s aging high school into the 21st century. In the spring 2005, the School Committee requested that a study of the facility needs at Franklin High School be conducted. The needs study looked at what physical aspects of the Franklin High School facility must be addressed to bring the 35 year old facility up to date.
On the renovation side, KBA presented three design options for renovating and adding to the building, with costs ranging from $93 to $100 million. It was noted that the facilities must be updated — for example, disabled students should be provided full access to the building — and cosmetic repairs should also be made, such as replacing tiles and ceilings. The school desperately needs new science labs and an auditorium. One architect who visited the building said the labs were so outdated they looked like ”Frankenstein came out of there.” Theater and band performances now take place in a lecture hall with decades-old seats.
A fourth scenario presented provided a plan for building a completely new school at a price between $120 and $130 million. The new school could be built on the other side of the field house on some of the existing fields, which could be rebuilt where the existing facility is currently located. The site plan shows keeping the existing parking off Oak Street (to serve the new fields) and extends the parking at Horace Mann up to the current exit road just east of the wetlands/woods for teachers and students. Traffic can then be routed straight through the site from Oak to Panther way with a bus drop off loop in the rear corner and parent drop off in the front, off Oak. The existing ring road (around the high school) provides access to the terraced athletic fields.
The complete presentation (in four parts) can be viewed by clicking on the images below. You can view the complete written report on the study by clicking here. The Milford Daily News report on the meeting can be viewed by clicking here.
