The Essex Elementary School building is in critical need of attention. In December 2023, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) identified the Elementary school as one of the neediest schools in the state (close to being out of options to address the structural issues of the building) and a good candidate for the grant program. Each day we wait to take action, we risk not only forgoing state money to offset any project costs, but we risk incurring expenditures of more than nine million dollars in "band-aid" costs such as replacing the roof and major mechanicals only to spend the dollars twice when we are forced to address the needed structural repairs.

Repairing the school will certainly be considered as part of the feasibility study.

The Essex Elementary School feasibility study is the MSBA’s first step. A feasibility study helps our communities determine the best long-term solution to address the failing building. It is a requirement of the MSBA in order to qualify for state-funded reimbursement for any future building project.

The feasibility study is estimated to cost up to $1,500,000. The feasibility study will be funded through reserves with contributions from MERSD, Essex, and Manchester. The cost to the towns is determined in accordance with the capital allocation formula outlined in the MERSD Regional Agreement. Additionally, the feasibility study is eligible for MSBA reimbursement.

The feasibility study is completed by a designer architect under the management of an Owner's Project Manager (OPM) hired by and in collaboration with the School Building Committee (SBC).

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 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 teachers and staff at the Essex Elementary School have done an amazing job educating our students despite the conditions of the building. While we recognize that the most important elements in carrying out our educational mission are the people inside the building, the physical environment cannot be overlooked.

Ultimately, Town Meetings and the voters in Essex and Manchester make a final decision about the scope of a project, including costs and which option to pursue. Throughout the Feasibility Study period, the School Committee and the School Building Committee will keep the communities apprised of the plan, as well as provide opportunities for public participation and input. We recognize that it is critical to gain public participation and input and secure voter support for any school building project to be successful.