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Date: 1/4/2023
CHICOPEE – The Massachusetts School Board Authority (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 percent 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 announcement was made formally on Dec. 27 after Chicopee officials met with the MSBA on Dec. 21. Interim Superintendent Alvin Morton, state Rep. Jake Oliveira and Mayor John Vieau presented the project to the MSBA, with state Sens. John Velis and Adam Gomez also submitting letters of support.
The City Council initially approved Chicopee Public Schools’ application to the MSBA on April 19. Both the council and School Committee toured the Anna E. Barry Elementary School space on March 14.
In his presentation to the council, Vieau cited numerous issues with the space, including a sprinkler system that is not up to current code, an excess of asbestos that requires removal, single-pane windows that need replacements and outdated facilities.
“Barry School is a very antiquated and inefficient building. It has been deemed by our Maintenance Director [Scott Chapdelaine] that it could be necessary to replace this school building … Frankly, it needs replacement, renovation and modernization for a lot of facility systems,” said Vieau during the April 19 meeting.
The mayor also highlighted several inaccessible points within the school, such as the gymnasium located on the third floor. Other facets of the space, like the classroom unit-ventilators, cannot be upgraded in their current condition.
Anna E. Barry Elementary School initially opened in 1963.
Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and MSBA Executive Director Jack McCarthy announced that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to accept Anna E. Barry Elementary. The school now enters a 270-day eligibility period where city leaders and Chicopee Public Schools will work alongside the MSBA in conducting a feasibility study.
“The eligibility period is a critical step in the MSBA’s process of evaluating potential work on the Barry Elementary School … We look forward to our continued partnership with the district as it enters the eligibility period,” said McCarthy via press release.
The study will determine a project manager and design firm that will establish “the most cost-effective and educationally appropriate design for a new school building,” according to Vieau’s press release from Communications and Special Project Manager Chloe Soto.
Other requirements that will be executed during the 270-day timeframe include an Initial Compliance Certificate, the establishment of a School Building Committee, the gathering of community perspectives and the determination of Anna E. Barry’s educational needs and enrollment.
Morton worked alongside Chapdelaine and Principal Kate Lambert throughout the MSBA submission process. The trio hosted tours of the school for MSBA officials while formalizing the school district’s official submission.
Reflecting on the school’s acceptance from the MSBA, Morton and Vieau both considered the announcement a promising opportunity for Chicopee Public Schools.
“This is a monumental opportunity for us, the Chicopee Public Schools and the city of Chicopee, to partner with the MSBA to build a new or renovated state-of-the-art Anna E. Barry Elementary School that will greatly assist us as a school district and city in our mission to provide an equitable and high-quality education and experience to all of our students,” said Morton via press release.
Vieau added, “From the tours, it was evident that the building is hindering education programs and a renovated or new Barry Elementary School will provide a safe, modern, and welcoming environment that can offer the opportunities and resources our students need to excel.”
The MSBA had provided over $16.2 billion in school building reimbursements since being formed in 2004.
Readers can learn more about Anna E. Barry Elementary School at https://www.facebook.com/annaebarry/.