Stoneham High School OPM Services

The Town of Stoneham, MA hired SMMA to provide Owner’s Project Management (OPM) services for the design and construction of the new Stoneham High School and Stoneham Early Learning Center. The school delivers on the Town’s highest aspirations: a net-zero facility with outstanding community value and a commitment to next-generation learning methods.

Our OPM team worked closely with the Town, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the design team (Perkins&Will), and the construction manager (Consigli Construction Co.). By minimizing risk, engaging the community, and actively listening to the client’s needs, SMMA ensured the final design reflects Stoneham’s vision for a modern, sustainable, and inclusive learning environment.

SMMA’s OPM team forged a close working relationship with Consigli, the construction manager, and Perkins&Will, the architect.

Just as the project was getting underway, the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

This required a rapid shift to remote meetings and a reassessment of traditional OPM practices. Instead of in-person meetings, SMMA collaborated remotely with the MSBA and the Town to develop a revised project schedule and hire the ideal designer and construction manager for the project.

Global supply chain issues and increased costs threatened to scupper the project timeline.

To counter these headwinds, the OPM team worked with the client to manage costs. This included proactive value management with the District and MSBA, recommending a list of items which the School Building Committee reviewed and approved before removing from the project.

After the bids were received, the project came in $25 million over budget. In response, the Town held a special town meeting where residents unanimously voted to add the additional $25 million to the project. Further funding was raised through a COVID-relief plan sponsored by the local senator. SMMA drew on an expertise around bidding, incentives, and rebates to ensure that the Town capitalized on the benefits offered by state and local programs.

Our OPM service brought an insight into market conditions. Learning from two other SMMA school projects then in construction, the team worked to prioritize essential buildings systems and procure equipment as soon as possible to mitigate delays.

Our OPM Service

The OPM team engaged the Stoneham community from day one.

Locals emphasized the Town’s long history of sports, performing arts, and outdoor activities. With many programs happening after school hours, the new high school had to meet intense site circulation and parking needs that would not interfere with the old school, still in active use. SMMA worked hand-in-hand with the construction team to locate parking and circulation for each construction phase.

The project respected the high school’s location within a residential neighborhood and its proximity to the Middlesex Fells nature preserve. The team communicated with residents about construction activities, with ledge blasting monitored by seismic tools. SMMA made visits to homes, talked to neighbors, and returned calls and emails regarding concerns around noise or vibrations. The team also created a website to provide residents with regular construction updates.

Stoneham High School opened to students in September 2024.