Superintendent’s Report to the School Committee, 1/7/26

Presentation of Feasibility Study for Renovation of Track, Softball and Tennis Facilities

In May of 2025, Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield Town Meetings approved funding for the creation of a feasibility study to renovate the track and address ADA compliance issues at Bunker Stadium, redevelop our softball facilities to address accessibility issues and bring them on par with our baseball facilities, and to replace and expand our tennis facilities.

In July of 2025, Masconomet engaged the services of Vision Sports Design to complete this study. Through the summer and fall of 2025, Vision Sports Design held several meetings with Masconomet Administration, including Athletic Director John Daileanes and Asst. Superintendent Jeff Sands, to review the current state of our facilities and discuss possible approaches. In November of 2025, Vision reviewed their draft design with the School Committee’s District Capital Investment Subcommittee DCI). At the January 7, 2026 School Committee Meeting, Vision Sports Design presented their design to the full School Committee.

The draft design includes elements that are essential to providing our students with high quality athletic facilities that are in compliance with Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act. In regards to the Bunker Stadium area, the design includes the replacement of the current track surface, which has reached the end of its useful life, and the addition of surfaced “D-Zone” areas for jumping events. The design also includes the addition of a modern irrigation system to the field at Bunker Stadium. The field is currently watered through an improvised system that lacks automated controls, making it very labor intensive to operate. Most importantly, the design includes the creation of new walkways around the stadium that are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including paved access for spectators to the visitor’s side of the field. The total estimated cost for the proposed renovations to the track and stadium in this design are $2.3M.

The current layout of varsity and junior varsity softball fields is inadequate at best. Spectators who wish to attend a varsity softball game must walk through the junior varsity field to do so, often while a junior varsity game is in progress, over a grass pathway that is difficult to navigate for those with mobility issues and impossible for wheelchair access. Our current softball facilities also lack the amenities that are enjoyed by our baseball team, including dugouts, storage areas, scoreboards, irrigation system, and batting cages. The proposed improvements to Masconomet’s softball facilities envision the relocation of the varsity softball field and the repurposing of current varsity softball field as a junior varsity field. The design includes proper access for spectators to both fields and the installation of amenities to bring our softball facilities on par with baseball. The estimated cost of renovating the softball facilities is $2.3M.

The third element of the proposed design is the renovation of our current tennis facilities. Several years ago, the four tennis courts at Masconomet underwent repairs to address cracks in the asphalt surface. These repairs are now failing and new cracks are appearing on the courts. The facility also lacks accessible pathways and adequate player and spectator areas. The proposed renovations to the tennis facility include the installation of a post-tension concrete court system that reduces the likelihood of cracks developing on the surface. The renovations also include the addition of a fifth court to address the current number of matches in a high school competition (three singles and two doubles matches). The proposed design also includes new walkways around the courts and seating areas for players and spectators. The estimated cost for renovating the tennis facilities is $1.5M.

The presentation of the feasibility study by Vision Sports Design to the School Committee, including itemized cost estimates for each aspect of the proposal is included below. If the School Committee decides to move forward with part or all of this project, the next step in the process would be to request funding from Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield for the creation of schematic designs and permitting of the project. At the conclusion of the presentation, the School Committee asked District Administration to seek a quote from Vision Sports Design for the cost of creating a schematic design and obtaining permits for this project.

Parent Coffee Schedule for January 2026

This year, we will again be hosting as series of parent coffees on Friday mornings at 8:30 AM. These coffees are an opportunity for members of the public to meet with school principals, members of the District Administrative Team and me to ask questions and discuss issues that concern the Masconomet District. Our next scheduled Parent Coffees will be held at the High School on January 16 and at the Middle School on January 23. All Parent Coffees are from 8:30 to 9:30 AM. Parents should report to the main office of their respective schools to check in for the parent coffee.

Please click here for the list of Principal’s Coffee Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year.

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