Latest news with #MassachusettsSchoolBuildingAuthority
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Local schools work to keep students cool as temperatures rise
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Temperatures will likely reach 90 degrees on Thursday in some western Massachusetts communities, and this means it could get especially warm inside classrooms. Between Holyoke and Springfield, there are nearly 80 public schools that will be following hot weather protocols. Many schools in Springfield were built before air conditioners were available. Now, there is AC in about 50% of the buildings. Canadian wildfire smoke brings hazy skies to Massachusetts The school district is working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to help fund renovations to the rest. In the next five years, all the schools should have AC units. In the meantime, classes will be held in cooler areas, fans will always be working, and shades will be pulled down when needed. Nurses will also monitor students for heat-related incidents, and they say parents can help too. 'We rely on our families to send their students to school prepared, wearing light clothing, and with water bottles,' said Azell Cavaan, CCO of Springfield Public Schools. 'We encourage students to stay hydrated during the course of the day.' While the HVAC systems and ACs are working in all Holyoke schools, their hot weather protocols include limiting recess and physical education. When it gets too hot, schools may be closed early or for the day. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Agawam to begin construction on new high school
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – The Town of Agawam is set to break ground on its new high school. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on June 3rd at the current high school on Cooper Street. Last summer, the Massachusetts School Building Authority approved the new high school, allowing Agawam access to $96.8 million in state funding. Free ticket to Six Flags New England Memorial Day weekend for veterans, military members The over 230,000 square foot, two-story building is estimated to cost $229.9 million. As mentioned, just under $97 million will be funded from the state, and $129.4 million will be the cost from the town, equal to an average annual tax increase of $465-$488 per residential taxpayer over 30 years. Mayor Christopher Johnson said that the first phase of construction will begin on the left side of the existing school and should be finished by December 2026. The second phase of the project should then be completed by December 2028. 'Our high school turns 70 years old this year, it was built in 1955. It will be nice for students to have a nice, modern, state-of-the-art school, especially in the Science and Technology area. We did the best we can to retro fit what we have, but this is going to be a modern state-of-the-art facility,' said Mayor Johnson. The Town of Agwam has a website dedicated to updates and the timeline of the project. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Heated debate over relocating or renovating Anna E. Barry Elementary School in Chicopee
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – A heated debate Thursday night on whether Chicopee's Anna E. Barry Elementary School should stay in its current location or move to another site. Residents met with the Anna E. Barry School Building Committee to voice their thoughts. Some believe sticking to the original plan of building a new school a few feet behind the current Barry Location, but building officials think otherwise. The future of Anna E. Barry Elementary School in Chicopee is still in question. After the original plan to build the new school just feet behind the current Barry Location ran into issues, the Building Committee is considering another site. They're looking to expand the Szetela Early Childhood School on Macek Drive. But not all residents agree since there are fields and a park behind the school. 'This park is used all year round by kids, families people walking their dogs. It's just wonderful to have a neighborhood park,' said Jennifer Christianson of Chicopee. The building committee explains why they are looking at this as an option. 'We want to avoid redistricting, and we need a good-sized parcel of land in order to build the school. And unfortunately, within this district, there's really not a lot of options available to us,' added Chair of the Anna E. Barry School Building Committee, Carissa Lisee. The project designer and manager will be studying and investigating the site to determine if it is a good fit. There will also be a survey of the property. If this school is selected as the new site, it would combine its preschool students with the Barry School's 340 kindergarten through fifth-grade students. The other possibility is another location off of Robbins Road, but is out of district. But residents believe building the school behind the current Barry location is the best option for the school, despite the challenges with wetland soil and Article 97, which protects parkland area under Massachusetts State Law. 'Barry was built on wetlands before, and if it was built on what lands before, it can be done again, and they're grandfathered in. There's already a school there. They need to redistrict some of the kids. Maybe for a year and build on that property again,' said Christianson. The building committee says it will come down to cost as to what project they move forward with. The committee hopes to present several preliminary design options by June. Chicopee is working in partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority on this project. The Massachusetts School Building Authority will be providing funding to support the final design. Information meetings will continue to be held on the second Thursday of every month. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Informational meeting on new high school in Agawam: What to know
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – The town of Agawam is planning for construction to start on the new high school. Chicopee selects 2025 Colleen and Court The town is holding a meeting Monday night to give an update on the plans before work is expected to start in April. Last summer, the Massachusetts School Building Authority approved the new high school, allowing Agawam access to $96.8 million in state funding. The over 230,000 square foot, two-story building is estimated cost $229.9 million. As mentioned, just under $97 million will be funded from the state and $129.4 million will be the cost from the town, equal to an average annual tax increase of $465-$488 per residential taxpayer over 30 years. Back in June, the town held a special vote to raise the property taxes for the school where it was approved by residents. Mayor Chris Johnson says at the meeting Monday night, residents will be able to learn about the building construction and the schedule Everyone is welcome to attend and it's set for Monday night at 6:30 at the Agawam Public Library. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
