Below are some of the most commonly asked questions throughout this Master Planning process for our Dedham school facilities.   We are updating this page regularly, so please check back if you do not see the answer to your question.  Or, if you'd like to submit a question or thought for consideration, you can use the Online Input Form.

Q: I can’t make it to the Discussion/Input meeting -  can I still submit comments?

A:  Yes.  Community input and questions play a critical role in ensuring that the final recommendations and plans are meeting the distinct needs of our students, families, community and neighbors.   If you were unable to attend the previously scheduled meetings - we encourage you to plan on joining us at the next meeting scheduled for January 13, 2020 at 7:00pm. Or, you can submit comments and questions using this online form.

Q: How can I stay informed on this project?

A:  We will continue to provide updates on our Master planning work at our currently scheduled School Committee meetings.  In addition, we have a web page on our district website (www.dedham.k12.ma.us) dedicated to updating the community throughout this process.  From the district home page, click the “Master Plan Updates” link under the “Administration” menu. 

Q: What was the Warrant Article that funded this Master Plan project?

A: On May 21, 2018 at the 2018 Spring Annual Town Meeting, members voted to approve Article Eighteen, Appropriation to Fund Update of Long Term Facilities Master Plan of the Dedham Public Schools.  In that vote, $125,000 was transferred from Free Cash for the purpose of updating the LongTerm Facilities Master Plan of the Dedham Public Schools, including all incidental and related costs.

Q: What schools are part of the current Master Plan process?

A: The current  Master Facility Plan is focused on three Elementary Schools -  Riverdale, Oakdale, and Greenlodge.   

Q: What is the School Building Rehabilitation Committee?

A:  The School Building Rehabilitation Committee (SBRC) oversees and supervises the design, construction, reconstruction, major alteration, renovation, enlargement, major maintenance, demolition, and removal of Dedham Public Schools' buildings.  The committee has seven appointed members members and two who, because of their position in the Town's executive branch, serve in ex-officio roles, participating in discussions but not voting. No members have specified lengths of term, as this committee is mainly concerned with projects as-they-arise and represent stakeholders.  Two of the SBRC committee members are also School Committee members. 

Q: Who or what is SMMA?

A:  After a competitive bidding process, the Town’s School Building Rehabilitation Committee (SBRC) and School Committee selected Symmes, Maini, McKee and Associates (SMMA)  a firm with long standing architecture, engineering, and site design expertise to manage the Facilities Master Plan project.   The SMMA OPM K-12 Project Management team has managed over $2 billion of new and renovated school construction over the past two decades.