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Date: 3/2/2022
HOLYOKE – The City Council voted to move forward with a feasibility study of a new proposed elementary school at its Feb. 15 meeting.
The vote of 9-4 came after considerable debate about what some councilors considered a lack of information about the ramifications of a new school on the city’s finances in the future.
Councilor Joseph McGiverin explained passing the order that would spend $475,000 on the study was a requirement to receive state funding.
“In order to be considered by the MSBA [Massachusetts School Building Authority] we have to conduct a feasibility study,” he said.
He added that Mayor Joshua Garcia has agreed to use the former plans developed several years ago for two new schools plus some alterations that would lower the overall costs of the project.
Among the topics to be covered in the report would be traffic and environmental impact, McGiverin said.
He reminded the councilors that they will have no obligation if they support the feasibility study to approve a final vote about the school.
“Our schools are in rough shape,” he added.
Councilor Kevin Jourdain said in response, “I think we are rushing this … voting by emotion.” He added the deadline to make a decision about the feasibility study is April 29 and he advocated for a financial study on the long-term impact of spending money for the school.
“We don’t know if we can afford the bond [for a new school,]” he added.
Besides understanding how a new school would affect the financial health of the city, Jourdain asserted that since the state took over the management of the school system it should be responsible for the complete funding of a new school.
He called the state receivership as “a hostile takeover” and directed the state to “put your money where your mouth is.”
Councilor Will Puello agreed with Jordain and urged the council to ask for a financial projection before a vote.
McGiverin, among several other councilors, urged a vote to approve the expenditure stressing if the feasibility study doesn’t move forward the city will not be able to apply for funding for the school from the MSBA.
“If we don’t pass it, we’re out,” McGiverin said.