The Manchester Essex Regional School District provides the following information about the proposed feasibility study for Essex Elementary School.
In November 2022, consultants Habeeb & Associates publicly shared its needs assessment of both Essex Elementary and Manchester Essex Middle High School. The study identified that Essex Elementary, which opened in 1955, has passed its useful life and requires about $9 million in capital investment.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) admitted MERSD into the Eligibility Phase of its grant process in 2023. Being accepted means Essex Elementary has been identified as being one of the neediest schools in the state, and close to being out of options to address its structural issues. Participation in the MSBA program allows MERSD to work with MSBA experts to determine solutions for providing a renovated/rebuilt facility.
The project will be overseen locally by the Essex Elementary School Building Committee, which will work in partnership with MSBA. The SBC is required by the MSBA to be made up of town representatives with backgrounds in construction, architecture, landscape and education, as well as, the district Superintendent of Schools, a School Committee member, the school Principal, District schools’ facility management director, at least one teacher from the school, a member of the Finance Committee or local budget official, and a representative from an office authorized by law to construct school buildings.
This feasibility study will be funded by Essex, Manchester, and the District. The towns’ cost will be determined by the capital allocation formula in the Regional Agreement and MSBA will provide a minimum of 30 percent reimbursement.
Funding the Feasibility Study is a three-step process.
The first step is an affirmative vote for the Essex Elementary School Feasibility Study warrant article by the MERSD School Committee. The second and third steps require affirmative votes to fund the towns’ portions of the study at each of the town meetings.
The School Committee voted on April 2 to move ahead with a $1.5 million feasibility study. The study will assist the District in developing and evaluating alternatives and recommending the most cost-effective and educationally appropriate preferred solution to the MSBA for consideration.
Manchester-by-the-Sea Town Meeting convenes on April 24 at 6 p.m. at Memorial School. Essex Town Meeting convenes on May 6 at 6:45 p.m. at Essex Elementary.
To learn more about MSBA and the feasibility study please visit the Essex School Building Project page
