The Anna Barry Elementary School project in Chicopee and the Mosier Elementary School project in South Hadley both reached important milestones following the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Board of Directors’ recent decisions on Aug. 26.
State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, chair of the MSBA, and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mary L. Pichetti talked about the decisions in a press release announcing the votes.
Chicopee
The MSBA Board of Directors voted to approve a grant of up to $56.6 million for a new Anna E. Barry Elementary School.
One of the next steps for the district and the MSBA is to enter into a project funding agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the district will receive its MSBA grant.
“Upon completion, this project will provide a new 21st-century learning environment for students in Chicopee,” Goldberg said. “Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the district’s educational commitments and goals.”
The proposed project will replace the existing Anna E. Barry Elementary School with a new facility serving 340 students in grades kindergarten through grade 5, plus pre-kindergarten, on an alternative site adjacent to the Szetela Early Childhood Center.
In the district’s statement of interest, Chicopee identified numerous deficiencies in the existing facility associated with mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, the building’s envelope and accessibility issues. In addition to the physical plant issues, the district reported that the existing facility does not support the delivery of its educational program.
“Chicopee students will soon have a beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom,” Pichetti stated.
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities.
Chicopee has been working in partnership with the MSBA since 2022 to build or renovate a new elementary school to replace the Anna E. Barry Elementary School and be partially reimbursed for the project.
South Hadley
After submitting its preferred schematic report to the MSBA near the end of June, the MSBA Board of Directors voted to move the Mosier Elementary School into the schematic design phase during its Aug. 26 meeting.
The South Hadley Elementary School Building Committee selected its preferred design for a new Mosier Elementary School on the existing site with reorganized grade levels across the district.
In the schematic design phase, the MSBA and the district will look at possible options to replace the existing school.
“Thanks to our collaborative work with local officials, we are working to build a 21st-century educational facility that will provide South Hadley students with a top-notch learning environment,” Goldberg said.
The proposed project would replace the existing Mosier Elementary School with a new facility serving students in grades 1-5, on the existing site. Under the proposal, Skala Elementary School would become an early childhood center serving pre-K through kindergarten; Michael E. Smith Middle School would serve grades 6-8 and South Hadley High School would serve grades 9-12.
In its statement of interest, the South Hadley school district identified numerous deficiencies in the existing facility, including outdated mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as building envelope and accessibility issues.
In addition to the physical plant issues, the district reported that the existing facility does not support the delivery of its educational program.
“The potential new Mosier Elementary School will mean a better learning and teaching location for students and teachers,” Pichetti said.
The option was chosen based on educational goals, community feedback, site considerations and long-term value.
If the project is approved by the town, the detailed design phase will take place through the end of 2027 into 2028. Construction is not scheduled until 2028.
The new Mosier school is expected to open in fall 2030, but the timeline can be subject to change.
