SCHOOL HISTORY

The New High/Middle School 
An architect was selected and he was Eric R. Flansburgh of Boston and construction proceeded under the direction of the Building Needs Committee, which consisted of:
Blaine Hebbel, Chairman
Roberta Jalbert, School Committee          
Steven Fortado, School Support Services
Cheryl Forster, Middle School Principal    
Richard Thompson, Superintendent of Schools
Barry Cahill, High School Principal
Marlene Doyle, School Committee            

Larry Seidler, former School Committee Chairman, was selected to be Clerk of the Works as work continued. Some interesting facts about the new facility were listed as follows:
“estimated cost of the project                 $31,600,000
State aid (62%)                                     $19,592,000
Mile Lane Property (for athletics)             $300,000
cost of the project to the Town                $12,308,000”

It was estimated that the impact on the tax rate would be: in 1997-1998 $.75; in 1999-2002 $.98; and in 2003-2022 $1.26.

The new Middle/High School opened September 5, 2000, even though the grounds were not completely finished. An open house for the community was held from 1-4 on Sunday, October 15, 2000, and the public was invited to inspect the new 528-pupil Middle School and the new 625-pupil High School on a 28-acre campus with additional playing field at the Mile Lane Site. The 193,989 square feet is designed as two schools with shared core facilities between the classrooms areas. These shared core facilities included a kitchen, a cafeteria, and a library/instructional media center.  Some of the statistics of the construction were:
*          Project cost: $31,927,492
*          201,526 square feet
*          Cost per square foot: $156.80
*          56,275,000 pounds of concrete used
*          373,600 bricks
*          4,470,000 pounds of steel
*          1,692,000 sq. in. maple flooring in the gym
*          800 gallons of paint
*          3,300 electrical outlets
*          More than 400 workers
*          Student capacity   1,150
*          Performing Arts Center Capacity 691 seats
It is interesting to note that building was delayed in March of 2000 and occupancy put off until September, and in 2001 an additional $100,000.00 was incurred in completing the athletic complex because asbestos was found under the old high school. In 2005, Ipswich High was one of 38 schools nationally awarded a Blue Ribbon because of quality of program and students. We were the only school in Massachusetts to be so honored.