I do think the bell tower was part of the original design; I just don’t see any particular Masonic symbolism. Tudor revival would probably be the best description of the building. Many elements like the ogee curves of the tower have precedent in English architecture. See Hampton Court Palace, http://www.hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace/ for a good example.
Well, there are a few things I didn’t really get with the article, myself.
What’s so intriguing about having windows on stair landings? They’re not between floors when the landings are at half stories.
It’s a nice old building, but I would have expected something much more distinctive. It looks like any number of public high schools to me.