NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city's going to "take a step back" from the school building project.
Mayor Richard Alcombright said a press conference regarding the project will be held Friday at noon to explain the whys and wherefores.
The school building committee and its designers have come under withering fire from parents and neighbors of Sullivan School on Kemp Avenue when it became apparent it would likely be sacrificed for the renovation of Conte Middle School.
During a three-hour meeting last Thursday, parents hurled charges that the committee and designers hadn't spent enough time on finding ways to renovate the school. They oppose sending youngsters downtown to Conte, which had operated as a high school and middle school for nearly 100 years, but never as an elementary school.
The designers and school officials, including faculty, say the hillside school is problematic because of its multiple levels and limited expansion options because of the steep grade.
In an email announcing the press conference, Alcombright said the decision was being made in consultation with Superintendent of Schools James Montepare.
"This time will allow the design team to more fully explore Sullivan School options and will allow us to meet on any new proposals," he wrote. "Upon receipt of new design options, we will re-engage the School Building Committee, School Committee and City Council through public process as well as convene additional public sessions with the result being more significant and consistent support."
The mayor said he and the superintendent would be available for questions on Friday.
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I live near Conte School and want to see Conte preserved rather than Sullivan. They don't build buildings like that anymore. North Adams lost enough history with urban renewal. I'd be proud to send my child there if refurbished.
It seems that members of the City Council had been pretty quite until the most recent public hearings. Did they not have a Rep on the committee? Now that the City is getting close to a decision they start to raising their concerns. Their timing is questionable.
If the Mayor had conducted a public process to begin with he would not be in this position today. All those private meetings and not a cross section of the community on the committee doomed this effort from day one. I think the other reason for his change of mind is that he can't sell a prop 2 1/2 override at the same time as a debt exclusion. Hold on folks because Dick will soon be back with another plan he can't pay for.
Why not put it to a vote now ?? Why waste time and money. Aak the tax payers if they can afford a new school. If the majority of tax payers can not afford the higher taxes and the mayor can not find another way to pay for it then what is the point to do another study??
I would like the committee to explore the feasibility of building a new school at the site of the former Freeman School A facility that would house 250-300 students might be realistic for that location.
Editor: Mount Greylock is seeking a new school or a significant overhaul. McCann had a $1 million lockerroom and gym makeover, but other than that appears to be in excellent shape. I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
Trying to save Sullivan costs way too much money, but if they can build a new one at the costs proposed on the nearby property, then it would be worth it.
Conte is a great building but not for little kids. Why MCLA walked away from the idea of their taking over, I'll never understand. Their devotion to the idea of a compact little campus almost seems like a bad attempt to imitate a certain school down the road. The fact is many of their current facilities are already out of date and will need major renovations or to be replaced in the next decade. Renovating Conte would have been a natural fit (and god forbid a 20 year kid has to walk 300 yards to class.)
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city's going to "take a step back" from the school building project. 