USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1941-1945 > Part 30
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The most obvious lack is the absence of any assembly space whatsoever. This lack has been repeatedly pointed out in annual school reports and in surveys and studies for many years. An auditorium is not primarily a place for the enter- tainment of school children - important as that function may be - but rather a necessary tool of education. Here the pupil may learn through lectures, plays and (of increasing impor- tance) educational motion pictures; and here, in using the stage, he may acquire poise, and find the incentive to develop the practical skills that come through the application of planning, art and other forms of creative expression.
Another obvious lack lies in the present absence of facilities for physical recreation and education - a gymnasium and dressing rooms.
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COMMITTEE ON NEEDS OF LINCOLN SCHOOLS
In a town like Lincoln it is necessary to transport children considerable distances to school. Of necessity they must remain there for lunch. The Center School makes no provi- sion at all, however, for a lunch program - a kitchen where simple, warm meals may be prepared, or a dining room where they may be eaten in clean, attractive and congenial sur- roundings.
Less obvious are the inadequacies of the classrooms them- selves. Their small size and meager furnishings adapt them to only a reading-and-recitation type of program. Accepted teaching techniques today recognize the value of "learning through doing," by placing emphasis on the fact that learning is best achieved through individualized instruction and through constructive activity - that is, actual practice in using those skills the school endeavors to impart to its pupils. This, however, implies a laboratory approach to classroom design. It requires first of all the space, and second, the equipment adapted to a variety of learning activities - mov- able desks for flexibility in space utilization, work counters and tables, abundant bulletin board, classroom library facilities, storage for partially completed individual projects, a sink, files and abundant cupboards and cases for the storage of a variety of instructional materials and supplies.
The toilets, located as they are in the basement, are incon- venient of access, dark, and lack the sanitary finishes that make cleanliness possible.
The kindergarten room, also in the basement, is wholly inadequate for a class of normal size. The room is small, low- ceilinged, and poorly lighted. Colorful paint cannot overcome the unsuitability of its brick and stone walls.
The absence of an adequate health room makes it necessary to house the nurse at the Town Hall. Moreover, the space provided at the Center School is not well adapted even for health examinations and counciling, either on a school or on a community basis or for the temporary accommodation of pupils who become indisposed for one reason or another.
The Ball Field
The town now owns a plot of land, comprising some 6 acres, situated just off Lincoln Road in almost the geographical
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
center of the town. Here, in attractive surroundings removed from the main thoroughfare, the town maintains a baseball diamond and two tennis courts.
The usefulness of these provisions is limited, however, by their isolation from all other community facilities and by the absence of a field house providing shower and locker room accommodations.
The Town Hall
While, ordinarily, consideration would not be given a town hall in any study of school facilities, in the present case this building warrants attention because its future may well be linked with that of the school buildings themselves.
The Lincoln Town Hall, while of undetermined age, is a very old building (probably built about 1865) that has long since outgrown its suitability for those purposes it now attempts unsuccessfully to fulfill. It is an obsolete structure, inadequate for the civil affairs of the town, and both inadequate and un- suitable for town gatherings, whether political or recreational. It makes no provision whatever for the numerous boards and committees which handle town affairs.
While the building may have become a familiar landmark for which some may hold a sentimental attachment, few will clain for it either a modicum of beauty or compatability with the character of Lincoln. To the visitor it is an unpleasant anachronism.
Pierce Park
Finally, attention must be given Pierce Park. This exten- sive and attractive plot of land was a gift to the town for park purposes. Consideration has been given the possibility of its use for recreation in the field of organized games and sports. There appears to be pronounced sentiment within the com- munity, however, for maintaining it as a park in accordance with the original intent of the donor. Added to this is the fact that its situation at the junction of Lincoln's two busiest high- ways militates against the suitability for school purposes. The educational and community needs of Lincoln may be sum- marized as follows:
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COMMITTEE ON NEEDS OF LINCOLN SCHOOLS
School Needs
1. The abandonment of the South School and its consoli- dation with the other elementary grades.
2. Auditorium facilities.
3. Gymnasium facilities.
4. A school lunch room and kitchen.
5. A suitable health unit.
6. Improved toilet facilities.
7. An adequate kindergarten unit.
8. An adequate school office.
9. A separate teachers' room.
General Community Needs
1. Shower and locker facilities in connection with the Ball Park.
2. An adequate hall for the town's social, recreational, cultural and civic activities.
3. A center providing facilities for civic organizations such as Boy and Girl Scouts, League of Women Voters, Garden Club, Red Cross, Grange, etc.
4. Adequate town offices, including a hearing room and headquarters and meeting rooms for town boards and committees.
Possible Solutions for the Schoolhousing Problem
1. An addition to the Center School providing a kinder- garten, two additional classrooms, a combination audi- torium-gymnasium with dressing facilities, a lunchroom and kitchen, a health unit and adequate toilet facilities.
2. An independent annex on the Center School site housing the additional facilities that are needed and alterations of the present building to correct insofar as possible its present shortcomings.
3. A new building replacing both the South and Center Schools, correcting the shortcomings of both.
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
Fundamental Principles Influencing the Choice of Possible Solutions
In weighing the foregoing possible solutions, the School Building Committee should be guided by the following funda- mental principles :
1. The school building being the property of the whole com- munity, and representing a considerable investment on its part, should serve community needs as fully and effectively as possible. Those needs first to be met are, of course, the educational needs of school age children. Insofar as it does not interfere with that primary function of the school, however, the building should recognize in its design and manner of utilization the broader educa- tional interests of the community and its recreational, cultural and civic needs.
2. Whatever course the Committee recommends it should avoid an impasse at some future date due to eventually increased enrollments and to changing educational needs. It should avoid the spending of money on major altera- tions and additions to a structure that fails to fulfill existing needs and that will become more and more un- satisfactory as time goes on until eventually the invest- ment proves not only worthless but actually an educa- tional and community liability. In this connection it should be borne in mind that planning should be done in terms of needs for the next forty or fifty years.
3. The solution recommended should make the most effec- tive use possible of the town's present investments and facilities compatible with existing and future needs.
1
4. Lincoln's school facilities should be consistent with Lincoln's ability to provide them. Its children should not be denied whatever provisions for a modern and adequate educational program its citizens can well afford.
An Analysis of the Possible Solutions
Solution No. 1
Very careful consideration has been given the first and most obvious of the three solutions listed above. Past
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COMMITTEE ON NEEDS OF LINCOLN SCHOOLS
proposals based on this solution have been analyzed and further architectural studies have been made in an effort to overcome their shortcomings.
There are several factors which make a satisfactory out- come practically impossible.
(a) The building, with its closed perimeter, makes no practical provision for adding at any point. All rear walls above the basement contain classroom windows which rule out adjoining construction in that direc- tion. The location of those windows cannot be changed with any success. Additions placed against the blank walls at each end of the building cannot be reached without passing through intervening class- rooms. Only at the basement level to the rear is it possible to connect existing and new construction without extensive alterations.
(b) Placing the addition at basement level would be to develop the school as a full three-story building with that form of layout's attendant complications in interior circulation, remoteness of elements from one another and increased fire hazards. It also spreads the addition out in such a manner as to result in an architectural misfit or else necessitates two multiple- storied structures connected by a single link at basement level.
(c) To obtain even partially satisfactory connections between new and old construction, major alterations and destruction of existing work would be unavoid- able.
(d) The plan of the existing building and the wall bearing construction employed in it makes impossible any attempt to alleviate the serious space deficiencies of the present classrooms. Any real improvement would involve enlargement yet this cannot be ac- complished.
(e) To correct the unsatisfactory toilet conditions grow- ing out of their inaccessible and unsanitary basement location would involve the expense of their replace- ment elsewhere.
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
(f) The resulting building would fail to possess the flexi- bility and expansibility that would permit it to be adapted to future increased enrollments and develop- ments in the educational program.
(g) An addition to the Center School would not take full advantage of the possibilities in physical education and recreation offered by the existing Ball Field or would it permit providing at one stroke the dressing facilities needed there.
(h) Finally, the addition would be larger and represent a considerably greater investment than the existing structure which nevertheless places disastrously stringent limitations on the design of that addition. It would constitute an outstanding example of the tail that wags the dog.
There is, of course, one advantage: Even though the net result would not be wholly satisfactory immediately and probably even less so as time goes on, it would cost somewhat, though not greatly, less than solution number 3.
Solution No. 2
A separate annex building on the same site with the Center School has so few advantages and so many dis- advantages that it was discarded early as entirely impractical.
The one advantage is that it would involve the lowest initial cost.
On the other hand it would create numerous inadequacies and disadvantages:
(a) All the general service facilities (auditorium, gymna- sium, lunch room, health unit, etc.) would be sepa- rated from the existing building which would house the great majority of the pupils.
(b) The contours of the site itself and its depression below road level make it very difficult to design a building of necessarily large floor area which would harmonize attractively with the existing building.
(c) This solution would fail to resolve many of those shortcomings that militate against an addition.
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COMMITTEE ON NEEDS OF LINCOLN SCHOOLS
Briefly, present classroom and toilet conditions would remain uncorrected and the potentialities of the Ball Field would not be utilized.
Solution No. 3
The third solution, a new building replacing both the South and Center Schools, while somewhat more expen- sive immediately than an addition, and definitely more expensive than an annex, would certainly be the least expensive in the long run. Especially is this the case when costs are measured in terms of the benefits accruing to the pupil and the community. These may be listed briefly as follows:
(a) The children would secure the advantages of a com- pletely modern school plant adapted to their educa- tional needs - pleasant classrooms adequate as to size, equipment, furnishings, lighting and finish; an auditorium-gymnasium with an adequate stage: dressing rooms; luncheon facilities; a room providing arts and crafts facilities for upper grades; a suitable health unit, teachers' room and school office; ade- quate storage space.
(b) The building, freed of limitations in design imposed by existing construction, would be planned so that its layout would be most practical and convenient and so that each of its individual elements would be best adapted to their particular functions.
(c) The building would be suitable in its layout and facilities to meet conveniently and satisfactorily the social, cultural, recreational and civic needs of the community.
(d) The new building would be so designed and con- structed that interior changes, as time goes on, may keep the building young and adapted to an evolving educational program.
(e) A new building would be laid out in such a way that additions can readily be made to increase its capacity should enrollments increase during the next four or five decades.
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
(f) The new building places emphasis on utility, attrac- tiveness to children and on up-to-date standards of safety, health and sanitation.
The Solution Recommended
Because it is the only one that will result in both an imme- diate and long-term satisfaction of school and community needs, because it will be the most economical in the long run, and because with some state or federal subsidy it is financially possible, Solution No. 3 -A New Building - is the one unqualifiedly recommended.
Utilization of the Present Center School
While there can be no qualms about recommending the out- right abandonment of the South School building, there might have been some hesitancy about recommending an entirely new elementary school plant if there could not have been suggested at the same time a disposition of the present Center School building that would constitute real advantages to the town.
As has been pointed out, the present Town Hall is inade- quate. True, the erection of a school and community audi- torium-gymnasium would remove the necessity for using its second floor hall. Its other shortcomings would remain, however.
It is suggested, therefore, that the existing Town Hall be abandoned along with the old South School and that the pres- ent Center School be utilized for the functions that an ade- quate Town Hall for Lincoln should fulfill.
This course could provide a Town Clerk's office and a Tax Collector's and Assessor's office - each with needed public space, vault, file and storage space; a hearing room; a com- mittee and board room with storage for records of the various groups; a headquarters for Boy Scouts and one for Girl Scouts; an office for Federal Agencies should they continue to be with us; and, finally, headquarters and a meeting room for such civic organizations as the Red Cross, League of Women Voters, Garden Club, Grange, etc.
These facilities could be provided at a minimum of cost for renovation of the present building. A long-felt community
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COMMITTEE ON NEEDS OF LINCOLN SCHOOLS
need would be met thereby, and the old Town Hall finally could be retired from service.
It is suggested that the town of Lincoln appoint an appro- priately qualified committee to make a thorough investigation of the possibilities of converting the Center School.
Notes on the New School
1. Site
The site recommended for the proposed new school adjoins to the west the present Ball Field.
This location is a most central one, conveniently accessi- ble from all directions. The present transportation program would not be materially affected by its use. Convenience of approaches would be enhanced by the acquisition of a right of way to Sandy Pond Road.
In this location the school would be well away from a busy highway, in safe, quiet and attractive surroundings. It would take advantage of those facilities which the existing Ball Field provides, thus reducing the amount of land the town would otherwise need to purchase.
To the west of the Ball Field is farm land which could be developed at minimum expense. In extent, contours, soil and elevation it is admirably suited to school building and playground needs. The committee recommends the purchase of this land to accommodate the building, its setting, its playgrounds for different age levels, and park- ing space for those using the school facilities and Ball Field.
It is recommended that the town take steps to acquire this land immediately and not wait until actual con- struction can be started.
2. The Building
It is recommended that the building be of one story con- struction in conformity with best modern school design practice. This results in a building of a less expensive class of construction, a building whose various parts are most conveniently accessible, that takes fullest advan- tage of outdoor air and sunshine, that is convenient to administer, that may be more inviting and attractive
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
rather than formal and imposing, that is most adaptable to additions and changes.
The building might well make full use of the lighter forms of construction that have been developed in recent years - forms that place primary emphasis on attractive utility as opposed to monumental splendor.
Costs
No attempt has been made to obtain conclusive estimates of cost. This is correctly the undertaking of a subsequent Building Committee and must be based upon adequate architectural studies.
On the basis of prewar construction costs (1940), however, it is estimated that expenditures for the proposed solution at that time would have been approximately as follows:
Land1
$5,000
to $5,000
New Building
120,000
to 140,000
It is estimated that present building costs have increased some 30% over prewar costs. It appears likely that these increased costs will continue in effect for some time after the war. Correcting, then, the foregoing figures for construction only to bring them in line with existing costs, the probable amount which should be allowed for such a school building, including land increases from $125,000 and $145,000 to $161,000 and $187,000. This amounts to from $644 to $748 per pupil for capital outlay. This is in line with costs else- where corrected for recent price increases.
Present indications are that some form of Federal subsidy for public works will be made available after the war as an aid to peacetime employment. If this occurs and Lincoln ob- tained such a subsidy, it would do much to lessen the town's financial outlay.
Assuming for a moment a 45% Federal grant, as during the P. W. A. program, Lincoln's share would be from $88,500 to $102,850.
1This figure is assigned arbitrarily in order to arrive at some conclusions on cost.
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COMMITTEE ON NEEDS OF LINCOLN SCHOOLS
Twenty-year bonds in this amount at an interest rate of 212% would cost, for interest and amortization, $5,677.01 to $6,597.52 per year.
At the present time one mill of taxation raises approxi- mately $3,842. The added cost to the town then would be about 11/2 mills of taxation or about $1.50 per $1,000 unit of evaluation.
Maintenance and Operation
It is impossible to predict with any degree of accuracy what differences there would be in building maintenance and operation costs.
The only foreseeable differences would lie in heat, light, power, custodial services and building up-keep. Building operation (heat, light, janitor and power) might be expected to increase to some extent because adequate classrooms, audi- torium-gymnasium, dressing rooms, cafeteria, etc., would increase the total space to be heated, lighted and cared for, and because more extensive use of the school facilities might be expected. This increase would be less in relation to present expenses than it might be, however, because of two existing factors - the present necessity for operating and maintaining two buildings rather than one, and the present age and condi- tion of the buildings which tend to increase maintenance costs. The new school would be served by one heating plant; one electric meter, one custodial staff instead of two. For a good many years, because of newness, costs for up-keep would be relatively low.
The cost of building operation for the year 1942-43 was $3,640. If we allow an increase of 40%, that cost for a new building would be $5,096. School building maintenance in 1942-43 cost $1,300. If, over the first ten-year period, the maintenance cost would increase $1,456 over present figures, or 31% of the total operation and maintenance budget. This is little more than 2 of 1 per cent (0.38%) of the total school budget.
JOHN E. NICHOLS, Consultant.
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
You have noted in the report that one of the recommenda- tions is that the present Center School be converted into Town Hall use. We therefore asked the Planning Board to find out what the requirements would be for the Town Officials and various civic organizations. Their report follows:
Mr. William N. Page, Chairman,
Committee for Future School Development,
Lincoln, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
At the request of your Committee, the Planning Board has interviewed Department Heads and Organizations directly affected by future expansions of Town Hall facilities. From these conferences, a brief outline of requirements would resolve into the following:
1. A General Hearing Room with a seating capacity for 50 to 60 persons. This type of room would serve the town as a Public Hearing Room.
It was recommended, in preliminary discussions, that a small kitchen adjoin this room, thus making it useful to many organizations now using the lower Town Hall.
2. The requests of the Board of Health would indicate the need of two adjoining Consultation Rooms; one to be approximately 9 x 12 with First Aid and Sterilization equipment. The other should be approximately 8 x 10. An office for the nurse should also be provided in this building.
It was generally conceded that the Child Welfare Clinic could function providing the Consultation Rooms were so situated that the Public Hearing Room would serve as a Waiting Room.
3. A room approximately 14 x 18 to be used by the Town Departments for their regular meetings.
4. The Town Clerk, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, and Assessor would need a room approximately 16 by 16 which could be used jointly.
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COMMITTEE ON NEEDS OF LINCOLN SCHOOLS
5. A Drafting Room to serve the Water Department, High- way Department, Building Inspector, Planning Board, and Town Engineer.
It was suggested that two small conference rooms adjoin this office for the purpose of private consultations.
6. The Selectmen would require a private room approxi- mately 20 x 30, with a connecting room approximately 8 × 12 for Secretary.
7. The Police Department is anticipating the need of two cells, space for office, Radio Room and Guard Room. It was deemed advisable to consider the ultimate need for garage facilities for two cruising cars.
This Board is of the opinion that part of the basement at the present Center School Building could be converted to meet these requirements.
In considering the future growth of the Town of Lincoln, this Board feels that combined with the planning of school requirements should be the design for an auditorium to seat between 650 and 700 people. There is every indication that with a centralized school plant and auditorium, the present Center School Building would serve as a Town Office Building for many years to come.
CHARLES K. FITTS, Chairman, WALTER E. LOVEJOY, Secretary, ROBERT D. DONALDSON, JOHN O. WILSON, HAYWARD PIERCE.
We have unanimously accepted and endorsed the reports as submitted and feel it is only the preliminary step in the solu- tion of the problem. There is still much to be accomplished and, we believe the committee should continue to function so that its work can be carried to a conclusion and in order that the citizens of the Town will have all the necessary information at hand by which to pass judgment.
The Town appropriated for the Committee's use the sum of $350.00 of which we have spent $209.50. This amount covers
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
the expenses of the Consultant and his fees, together with the preparation of certain drawings and reports.
We are requesting the Town to appropriate $500 for the Committee's use for surveys and consultant's fees for 1945.
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