Final Dedham School Master Plan Forum Set

DEDHAM, MA — Dedham Public Schools, the Dedham School Building Rehabilitation Committee and the Dedham School Committee will host a community forum on Monday to finalize community input efforts as they work towards the next steps in the latest Dedham school facilities master planning project. This is the fourth forum hosted to explore the needs of the Riverdale, Oakdale and Greenlodge Elementary School buildings. All three buildings haven't had major renovations in 30 years.

The Dedham School Building Rehabilitation Committee and School Committee, have been working with Symmes, Maini, McKee and Associates over the last year, evaluating the needs of the three Elementary School buildings. The firm has long standing architecture, engineering, and site design expertise and has helped the district navigate needs around issues of walkability, community use, school culture and future learning trends, and considerations with regards to pursuing new construction or renovation.

The next major step in the planning process is submitting a statement of interest letter to the Massachusetts State Building Authority in February 2020. The submission would start the process to secure state support to partially fund the construction, renovation, addition or repair of at least one Dedham Elementary School.

“These community forum meetings are essential to help us ensure that we are pursuing a plan that not only supports the district’s desire to have schools that support next generation learning styles and flexible learning environments, but that community ideas, priorities and concerns are also considered,” said Dedham Superintendent Michael Welch. “We especially hope the parents of our youngest learners and future Dedham students will take a few moments to join us at the meeting and provide their thoughts.”

The forum starts at 7 p.m. at the Curran Early Childhood Education Center on Monday.