Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 8/23/2023
SPRINGFIELD — The DeBerry-Swann Elementary School in Springfield is set to open for the coming academic year, as School Superintendent Daniel J. Warwick confirmed.
The superintendent discussed the project’s status, community engagement and what the new facility means for students. The new facility will replace the former DeBerry and Homer schools built in 1898 and 1951 respectively.
The older buildings grappled with outdated designs and inadequate electrical and plumbing.
The construction, led by Fontaine Bros. Construction, sets a new standard for Springfield’s educational infrastructure. The previous school needed more dedicated spaces for activities like arts, science and sports.
“There’s a lot of things going on; it’s a very active site. We’ve made incredible progress and through very difficult times to get it open on time,” Warwick said. “I was just in awe at how it came out. It’s incredible.”
The old schools no longer served the districts or the children’s needs, lacking an appropriate cafeteria, gym or dedicated spaces for learning and programming activities.
“You’re going to have a 21st-century building with a gorgeous media center, science, art and music rooms, and an incredible gymnasium for the kids,” Warwick said.
This design is intended to enhance the learning experience for students, ensuring a cohesive educational approach. He described the classroom construction as “impeccable, with three classes per cohort situated next to one another.
The project relied heavily on active community engagement. The superintendent credited residents as a driving force from the inception. “Right from the start, a tremendous amount of input. There was a lot of listening done on our part and a lot of input from the community,” he said.
The elementary school amalgamates two distinct schools — William DeBerry and the recently renamed Benjamin Swann School, paying homage to a revered civil rights and political leader.
When asked about the school’s capacity, Warwick confirmed that it’s designed to accommodate 900 students, with the merged schools having a population of 450 each.
Though the schools have been consolidated under one roof, he added that each will maintain a distinct identity, ensuring dedicated spaces for growth and collaboration. The shared areas include the media center and the gymnasium.
The gym and cafetorium will be separated to serve each school.
On the financial front, the construction, estimated at $95 million, has secured a significant chunk of funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
“The target was that the state would pay 80%, but it’s 80% of approved costs up to a certain amount per square foot. That calculation is still going on between the city and MSBA,” Warwick noted.
The innovative design incorporated into DeBerry-Swann was previously used for the Brightwood-Lincoln Elementary Schools project in 2021.
“Other school systems across the state have copied the model. MSBA likes the bigger school option to eliminate some of the older plants,” he said. The strategy aligns with the city’s vision to maintain optimum student numbers for effective learning.
Like any major project, the construction of DeBerry-Swann faced challenges, especially in the current environment plagued by worker and material shortages.
“We had to order everything way ahead of time to make sure it came in,” Warwick said. He praised the building and design teams for forging ahead despite the challenges.
Warwick was optimistic about the new facility and its long-term impact on the city. “I know the community was excited about this school. Our children deserve a facility like this. I’m thrilled for the kids.”
He added that the new school represents the city’s commitment to quality education, community collaboration and a better future for students.