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Date: 4/28/2021
CHICOPEE – The issue of the Chicopee School Department Administration Building was discussed at the School Committee meeting on April 21. The Administration Building, which was built over 100 years ago, has struggled with structural concerns, concerns around disability access, lack of a ventilation system and space concerns since a 2009 quality report.
According to Mayor John Vieau, fixing the air quality situation in the building would cost an estimated $300,000 itself. Vieau said they need to look at the big picture and decide whether spending an abundance of money on the building when it is “undersized” and “doesn’t fit the current needs of the school district” is the best option.
Superintendent Lynn A. Clark agreed.
“We’re at that crossroads. The concern now is, do we put hundreds of thousands of dollars into a building that we’re going to need much more work than that,” she said.
Vieau suggested that the City of Chicopee look into leasing a new space for the Administration Building. He said that they would be looking into spaces in Chicopee that are approximately 20,000 square feet, have on street parking and meet the needs of the school district. Vieau said he hopes the Administration Building would be able to have a permanent space within five years.
“We need to fix the problem now and we feel that in the best interest of our district moving forward, that potentially leasing space would be an option,” said Vieau. “We’re looking at that as a temporary solution so that we can find a permanent home for the School Admin and that’s really what we need to do and focus on and I think this is how you do it.”
Many School Committee members agreed with the solution of temporary leasing.
“I think the mayor is wise to look at ‘what do we do?’ and in the meantime rent space until a final decision can be made for a permanent building,” said Committee member Mary Elizabeth Pniak-Costello.
Committee member Donald Lamothe agreed, but also voiced his opinion that he doesn’t support leasing forever.
“To replace that building is going to cost you probably a million dollars. And somebody’s going to have to come up with that million dollars. You’re probably going to have to go with the lease, but you’re going to need to put some plans together of where you’re going to go after that,” he said.
Committee member David Schryver also supported the idea of leasing for now, but figuring out a permanent solution in the near future.
“We can’t just keep putting a bandaid on that building and I think that we really, really, really have to think hard about where we’re going next,” he said.
After many School Committee members gave their opinion, Vieau spoke again.
“With all due respect, we have to protect our employees, and the best thing to do now would be to look into temporary space,” he said.
Vieau also said that temporary space would buy the city “time to find out what’s in the best interest of the district moving forward.”
A motion was then made and passed to proceed with looking for a lease. According to Clark, there would be many benefits to all administration staff able to work in one updated and safe building.
She said that it would be easier for Chicopee residents to come to the building and register their children for school and easier to host administration meetings and administration trainings, as they currently do not have a room large enough in the original building to host those.
Other highlights of the School Committee meeting included news of a $24,000 donation of Personal Protective Equipment from the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation. Many members were thrilled and thankful for the donation.
“It’s nice to see the partnering of community businesses with Chicopee Public Schools, so again a thank you to Ocean State Job Lot for their donation,” said Committee member Sandra Peret.
Both Committee member Douglas Girouard and Vieau agreed.
“It’s tremendous that we have a partnership in Chicopee that’s willing to step up and help out with certain things that they can provide to the city, certainly any donation is fantastic for the city of Chicopee,” said Girouard.
“Two of my favorite words are grants and donations, so thank you Ocean State Job Lot,” said Vieau.
The meeting also gave an update on the 2021 MCAS. According to Clark, students in grades 3 to 8 will take the MCAS. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education just gave an update, however, that students in those grades who are still learning remotely will be allowed to take the test remotely.
Students in grade 10 will be taking the ELA and Math MCAS tests around May 10. Clark said that students in grades 11 and 12 do not have to take the MCAS this year and it will not be a requirement for graduation. She also said that any student who does wish to take the MCAS in those grades, for scholarship or personal reasons, will be able to do so.
Those interested in viewing the Chicopee School Committee Meeting in its entirety are encouraged to visit the ChicopeeTV Facebook page.