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Date: 2/21/2023
CHICOPEE — Following a lockdown at Chicopee High School on Feb. 14, the School Committee discussed school safety measures during their Feb. 15 meeting.
The lockdown occurred in the morning of Feb. 14, with the Chicopee Police Department responding swiftly to address the situation. Ultimately, the threat posed to the school was deemed noncredible. Interim Superintendent Alvin Morton issued a statement following the lockdown’s conclusion.
“The school was placed in lockdown while our emergency management procedures and protocols were implemented by the Chicopee Police Department. Most important, the threat was deemed to not be credible and regular activities have resumed at Chicopee High School … Please know that the safety and security of our students and staff members continues to be the Chicopee Public Schools top priority,” said Morton.
Mayor and School Committee Chairperson John Vieau said he visited Chicopee High School the following day to talk about the lockdown with students.
“I am thankfully that it was a hoax threat … What I heard from many is that they were scared, their parents were scared,” said Vieau.
Vieau applauded how the situation was handled by Chicopee Public Schools Principal Carol Kruser and the city’s first responders. He said the Chicopee Police Department and Chicopee Fire Department will have a debrief on the incident in the coming days.
“I have all the faith in the world in our Police Department [and] our law enforcement,” said Vieau.
Morton provided an update on progress toward the installation of metal detectors in high schools and middle schools across Chicopee. He said the policy will be presented for its final reading to the committee during their first meeting in March, with the metal detectors being installed shortly after if approved.
“We’re looking to roll out our metal detectors. They will be put out and utilized after the policy is voted on and approved,” said Morton.
Morton said he has met with the Chicopee Police Department to discuss training protocols for staff. Training measures will take place for staff during the next school vacation. Staff members will also be equipped with metal detector wands.
“It will be staff members that have to monitor metal detectors,” said Morton. The interim superintendent has mentioned during prior meetings that additional staff will be hired for the 2023-24 school year to assist in the metal detector supervision.
Anna E. Barry MSBA Update
The School Committee also discussed a brief update on the Anna E. Barry Elementary School Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process.
Anna E. Barry was one of 10 recipients of the MSBA’s 2022 selections. Chicopee will receive up to 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.
Numerous issues have been cited with the current facility, including a sprinkler system that is not up to current code, an excess of asbestos that requires removal, single-pane windows, aged classroom ventilators and several inaccessible points within the school.
Ward 4 School Committee member Sandra Peret inquired if the district is leaning closer to constructing a new school building or extensive renovations.
Vieau shared that all options are under consideration once the city begins its first steps in the MSBA process in April.
“It’s an exploratory phase … Through that exploratory process, we look at all options,” said Vieau, who mentioned that a new school could also be consolidated to fit two school buildings.
The mayor did affirm that the construction of a new school building is the most likely end result.
“I do believe we’re heading towards new [school building] construction,” said Vieau.
The School Committee will meet again on March 1.