In the Spring of 2016, MERSD established the Memorial School
Building Committee (MSBC) and received support from our communities to enter
into a Feasibility Study with the Massachusetts School Building authority
(MSBA). The MSBA provides state matching
funds for construction, and an oversight process to promote efficiency and
effectiveness of local building projects.
Through the Feasibility process, the MSBC will work to find fiscally
responsible, forward-thinking solutions for the Manchester elementary school
building that meet the needs of the District’s current and future curriculum
program, are mindful of future maintenance and the impact on the environment,
serve the school community, and are supported by voters in Manchester and
Essex, as well as the MSBA. The Feasibility Study will determine whether to
renovate or replace the Memorial School.
As one of its first tasks, the MSBC was charged with
identifying an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) for the upcoming building
project. The OPM, who will be with us
for the duration of the project, works to oversee the building process and
helps to safeguard the District’s interests.
On March 6th, the MSBA approved Memorial School Building Committee’s recommendation
of Dore & Whittier to serve as MERSD’s OPM for the Memorial project. On March 14th, Dore & Whittier
will hold its first meeting with the Memorial Building Committee (MSBC) to
begin the planning process for hiring a designer. That work will take place during April and
May should be complete by the end of the fiscal year. As part of the planning process, we will be
looking at a communications plan for providing regular updates to our
communities, and preliminary project timelines.
Understanding that facility needs of Memorial Elementary
School have been prioritized by the MSBA process, MERSD has begun to turn its
attention to interim measures to extend the useful life of Essex Elementary,
which is more than fifty years old, but in better condition than Memorial. MERSD is currently working with the Town of
Essex to leverage Green Community grant funding for potential energy saving
improvements that can minimize the annual cost of operations.
From a maintenance standpoint, Essex Elementary had a number
of improvements in 2016. Most notably,
the girls’ locker room was renovated and converted to accommodate two
additional learning spaces that are needed to support in-district special
education programs. The new counseling
room in the library was also converted from carpet to tile. The sidewalk in front of the school was
re-paved and wheelchair access was enhanced.
The handicap accessible parking space was also improved to provide
easier access. The Eagle’s Nest play
scape was completely power washed, sanded, and weatherproofed and all swing
chains and hardware have also been upgraded and replaced. The Essex courtyard underwent an extensive
in-house beautification project. Summer
maintenance also included refinishing of the cafeteria and gymnasium floors,
re-staining the exterior of the portable classrooms, and painting classrooms
and corridors.
For more information about tMemorial Building Project Background
& Process, please visit
