Anna E. Barry school project moves into next phase after MSBA approval

CHICOPEE — The Anna E Barry Elementary School project officially moves to the schematic design phase after the Massachusetts School Building Authority met on Feb. 25.

In the schematic design phase, the MSBA and the district will look at possible options to replace the existing school.

State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mary L. Pichetti talked about the decision in a press release announcing the vote.

“Thanks to our collaborative work with local officials, we are working to build a 21st century educational facility that will provide Chicopee students with a top-notch learning environment,” Goldberg said.

The proposed project would replace the existing Anna E. Barry Elementary School with a new two-story building, serving students in kindergarten through grade 5, plus pre-kindergarten, on an alternative site adjacent to the Szetela Early Childhood Center.

The district had identified in its statement of interest numerous deficiencies in the existing facility, including problems with the building envelope, and accessibility issues, and problems related to outdated mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. 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 Anna E. Barry Elementary School will mean a better learning and teaching location for students and teachers,” Pichetti stated.

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.

On Dec. 27, 2022, the MSBA unanimously accepted Anna E. Barry Elementary School as one of the 10 recipients of the organization’s annual efforts to support the design and construction of public school facilities.

Chicopee will receive 80% reimbursement toward the construction of a new school building or extensive renovations in place of Anna E. Barry’s aged facilities on 44 Connell St.

The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public-school facilities.

Since its 2004 inception, MSBA has approved over 1,200 projects and has made over $18.6 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects across the commonwealth.

Reminder Publishing reached out to Chicopee Public Schools and Barry School Building Commission for further comment. They did not offer any further details at this time, but the commission will be hosting its next meeting on Thursday, March 12 in the City Hall auditorium.

Readers can also check out previous meetings and frequently asked questions at the project’s website at chicopeeps.org.