At its work session on April 17, the Andover School Board narrowed its search to three finalists to assist in development of a plan for update of total school district facilities. This work session was open to the public within legal limits to protect the Board and taxpayers, as will be all work sessions as this process continues.

The final three firms were selected from a pool of seven that had submitted proposals that included a general profile, experience designing schools, knowledge of curriculum and student population requirements, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering services, energy conservation, and alternative methods of heating.

While all were qualified, the question becomes who matches well with what the school district knows about itself and sees as its future.

The three finalists are:

• Banwell Architects, Lebanon
• Marinace Architects, New Hampton
• Turner Group, Concord

Representatives of the three finalists will simultaneously be provided an information gathering time with an SAU 46 source person. This is intended to assure that all candidate firms have equal information upon which to prepare their final proposal to be considered by the Board.

The Andover School Board will consider the candidate firms’ final proposals at a public work session on Saturday, May 3, starting at 8 AM. All district members are invited to attend and provide comment at this meeting.

Considerations will include total school district facilities: AE/MS, the Annex, and an approximately 27-acre site.