Barrington school officials plan to spend the next month and a half educating the public on the proposed construction of a new middle school in town.

Earlier this month, officials held a meeting with people who live near the middle school. And on Wednesday, Sept. 28, there will be a community forum at the current middle school. That forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. and focus on a variety of topics surrounding the proposed new school.

Sowams School will not need to make up missed days.

“The Barrington Middle School proposal presents residents with an important decision to make that affects the future of our school district and the town,” said Kate Brody, the chairwoman of the Barrington School Committee. 

“It is imperative that we are proactive and thorough in engaging as many residents as possible, to equip them with the facts they need to make an informed vote on November 8.”

A referendum question will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot, asking voters to approve or reject a bond not to exceed $68.4 million that would be used for the construction of a new middle school on Middle Highway. (Officials are proposing to build the new school on the same property as the existing building.)

The existing middle school was built in 1952 and has not been renovated extensively since 1968. 

"… the facility requires extensive renovations and repairs and was one of only 14 schools – out of 276 in the state – to receive the lowest rating of “poor” in a 2013 statewide analysis of school building conditions," stated a press release from the district.

The project has qualified for housing aid reimbursement from the Rhode Island Department of Education School Building Authority. Officials have said that the district will be eligible for about $16 million in reimbursement funds.

According to Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore, the new school will be designed to support “STEAM” education — science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – and other areas of study. The plans reportedly feature adaptable classroom and collaboration spaces, state-of-the-art science laboratories, the latest instructional technology, rehearsal and performance spaces, indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, and infrastructure investments to improve security and energy efficiency.

In addition to the Sept. 28 forum, officials have also built a website — www.bmsproject.org — that shares the latest news and information about the proposal. It also has an archive of related documents and a section of frequently asked questions.

Officials said there will be other tools added to the site, including brochures, fact sheets and posters. Meanwhile, the school department is sharing information through its Twitter account (@bps_ri), is introducing hashtage #BMSproject, and a few months back established a Facebook page. There is a dedicated email address — BMSproject@barringtonschools.org — is also available. 

School officials will make a presentation to the town council on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., regarding the proposal, and a second community forum is planned for Tuesday, Oct. 18 at Barrington Middle School at 6:30 p.m.

"Representatives from the communications ad hoc committee have requested to make presentations to other Barrington boards and commissions in the coming weeks," stated the press release. "The team also will make presentations and set up information tables at school open houses, Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings, community activities, and other events throughout Barrington over the next two months."

If the proposed bond is approved by voters on Nov. 8, district officials have estimated that construction would begin in 2017, with a targeted completion date of Aug. 2019.