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Date: 6/7/2023
WEST SPRINGFIELD — “I know he would be so proud” to have his name on the town’s newest school, Marie Coburn-Gill said of her late husband Philip Coburn on May 25.
West Springfield officially dedicated the new Coburn School, which opened in August 2022 and replaced a century-old building that had served as the town’s junior high school before being renamed for the local journalist and civic booster 23 years ago.
John Coburn spoke about his father’s commitment to improving the town, and his relentless curiosity. Students at Coburn School should see him as a role model, John Coburn said.
The Coburn family wasn’t the only group expressing pride in the new building at Southworth and Lathrop streets.
“It’s been absolutely incredible, when [students] walked in for their first day, to see the expressions,” recalled Principal David Drugan, who is in his first year as a school administrator in West Springfield but was familiar with the old building from growing up in town.
Mayor William Reichelt said the school is proof of “a community invested in the long term” and that it “goes to show our commitment to our children and the neighborhood.” He said planning the project, securing funding and finally construction were an eight-year process. Reichelt singled out for praise Doug Mattoon, the town’s special projects manager, whom he credited with serving as the town’s day-to-day eyes and ears monitoring the construction project.
School Superintendent Stefania Raschilla, who took office May 1, called the building the start of “a new era” for students in the Coburn neighborhood. The school serves the Merrick and downtown areas.
“This school will serve as a beacon of hope for these students,” she said.
After the dedication ceremony, current students led visitors on tours of the building.