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Date: 3/9/2022
CHICOPEE – A potential new elementary school and the expansion of the district’s School Choice were central topics during the School Committee’s March 2 meeting.
Barry Elementary MSBA
Superintendent Lynn Clark shared that the school district is preparing a Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) submission for a new Barry Elementary School. In her address to the committee, Clark advocated for City Council members to visit the existing space in consideration of the new school request.
The new facility would be constructed with a full-size gymnasium as recommended by the School Committee’s Facilities Subcommittee. Ward 7 School Committee member Donald Lamothe explained the need for a full-size gym as the school district relies upon Barry Elementary for several parks and recreation activities.
“MSBA has a habit of when they build a new elementary school, they put what they call a “cafetorium” …because there is a shortage of gyms in the city and we do use Barry school currently for parks and rec and for high school basketball, we recommended that it would be a full size gym so that we would continue to have a place for parks and rec and practice,” said Lamothe.
At-Large School Committee member Susan Lopes also stressed that the visiting dates should be established so the City Council can visit Barry Elementary and consider the MSBA submission.
School Choice
While Chicopee Public Schools continues to incorporate school choice, Clark discussed a potential expansion of the enrollment program to include more elementary students and the inclusion of kindergarten students. She explained that expansion is in consideration due to a decrease in students enrolled in elementary and kindergarten.
“For a lot of years, the elementary level had a higher enrollment there. Chicopee has never offered kindergarten slots, but we would like to with your approval,” said Clark. The superintendent also shared that school choice participants continue to decrease in the school district, with 2018’s 2.5 percent of school choice students dropping to 1.8 in 2021.
Clark expressed her hopes that the school choice expansion would incorporate students in the district at the start of their education process. “Families will then start their students in kindergarten and want to remain here,” said Clark.
The School Committee expressed support for the idea. At-Large School Committee member Doug Girouard said the expansion is a good way to attract new students, while Lamothe shared that the infusion of new students won’t negatively impact the dwindling class sizes within the district. Mayor and Chair of the School Committee John Vieau also showcased his support for the expansion.
After discussion, the School Committee approved the expansion of school choice in a unanimous vote.
The School Committee will meet again on March 16.