HOLYOKE — The City Council granted unanimous approval Tuesday to send a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for a proposed new middle school.
The city must submit the letter by May 6. Mayor Alex B. Morse and school Receiver Stephen Zrike support the proposal for one middle school. A previous proposal for two new middle schools was defeated by voters in November.
On Tuesday, the council recessed briefly to allow the Finance Committee to discuss the statement of interest and vote it out of committee. The meetings were conducted by videoconference.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Councilor Joseph McGiverin said the School Building Authority would not budge on the May 6 deadline. The letter merely informs the authority of Holyoke’s wish to pursue a new school.
The authority approves all public school building and renovation projects in the state. It reimburses municipalities up to 80% of construction costs.
Before the November vote, the authority set aside about $73 million for the Holyoke school projects, below 60% of the estimated total cost of $132 million.
The new proposal calls for razing the William Peck School on Northampton Street, which dates to the 1970s, and constructing a new school.
Whitney Anderson, the School Department’s facilities director, said a lengthy application accompanies the letter of interest. He said the School Building Authority insisted on Holyoke naming a location, but the letter includes a disclaimer that the site could change.
Anderson said the School Building Authority must invite Holyoke into the project pipeline, which is not guaranteed. Such projects take several years to come to fruition.
Zrike said the mayor could appoint a School Building Committee in the meantime. Councilor Peter Tallman called for a diverse committee that includes parents, teachers and community stakeholders.
Ward 3 Councilor David Bartley questioned if the city could afford to build a new school. He said a statement of interest should only be filed if a city or town is able to fund such a project.
Mike Bloomberg, the mayor’s chief of staff, said he could not project budgets three years out. He added that the letter is simply a procedural move and does not commit the city to a building project. With current economic conditions and expected declines in revenues, no municipality can accurately forecast, Bloomberg said.
The Holyoke Public Schools has pledged $500,000 annually to fund the construction bond.
Bartley described the letter of intent as “hypocritical” and an insult to voters. He demanded the School Department identify the $500,000 annual contribution. He proposed tabling the motion until May 5 but ultimately voted for it.
Morse said not submitting the letter would be a “disservice” to residents. Councilor Mike Sullivan said the city risked future funding by not sending the letter.
Councilor James Leahy said the city’s children deserve a new facility, but the School Building Authority must grant an 80% reimbursement rate.
Ward 2 Terrance Murphy favored building a new middle school on a lot bordering Chestnut and Cabot streets.
In other matters, City Council President Todd McGee said the council would set up an email account for public comment during the pandemic. He talked about “tough times” ahead and Gov. Charlie Baker’s order that shutters schools for the remainder of the academic year.
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