The most topic discussed was the formation of an Owner Project Management (OPM) selection committee, essential for advancing the high school building project. The committee underscored the necessity of appointing an OPM who will assist in hiring both the architect and construction manager, facilitating the project’s technical stages. It was emphasized that while the OPM provides guidance and expertise, the School Committee retains the final decision-making authority. An official noted, “the OPM is going to help us do the heavy lifting to get the designer and the construction manager on board.”

Timing was a concern, particularly the urgency of issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the OPM. The committee aims to expedite this process once the MSBA invites them to move to the next phase, ideally releasing the RFP within 30 days to accelerate subsequent phases. The necessity of having both the OPM and architect in place before initiating the feasibility study was clarified, while the construction manager would be added later.

The formation of a procurement team to oversee the OPM selection was another focal point. Members expressed interest in participating, and nominations for the procurement team were discussed, emphasizing the need for a balanced team with both voting and non-voting members to ensure legitimacy in decision-making. A member with experience in working with OPMs expressed a desire to contribute to the procurement team, and support was echoed by others despite varying levels of experience. A final list of members was proposed for approval, including a requirement for at least three voting members to ensure quorum.

The document plans for accommodating a total enrollment of 1,800 students, including 1,500 high school students, 200 pre-k students, and 100 children in early childhood programs. The effort to compile this document was acknowledged, and its importance in summarizing housing developments in Medford was highlighted. The document will be made available on the district’s website, and the committee discussed how to further enhance its accessibility and transparency with the involvement of a new team member, Will Pepicelli.

The committee also considered involving students from film and TV production classes in creating a video tour of the school to highlight its deficiencies, which could aid in justifying the project to the public. Instructors expressed enthusiasm about collaborating on the content of the video, which would provide a visual and engaging way to communicate the need for a new building.

Surveying Medford’s various boards and commissions to gauge their interest and potential involvement in the high school project was another discussed initiative. Structured questionnaires were preferred to elicit consistent feedback, with a goal to complete the surveys within six weeks. However, there was a differing opinion regarding the timing of a community FAQ survey. A community-sourced FAQ was deemed more effective than a pre-formulated list, emphasizing the importance of genuine community engagement.

The importance of clear communication with the community was highlighted, with a proposal for a brief update in the weekly memo about the project’s current status and next steps. This would include information about the ongoing efforts to secure community input and updates from the MSBA. Additionally, the MSBA’s logo contest involving Medford’s arts program students was noted as a collaborative and engaging approach to public relations.