A redistricting study will focus on all elementary schools.
WESTFIELD - With state funding secured for construction of a new $36 milion elementary school, city officials will now focus on local funding for the project, site preparation, redistricting and completion of construction bid specifications.
The state's School Building Authority approved its share of funding, $23 million and approved the school project at a Sept. 28 meeting, giving the city 120 days to secure its financial share of $13 million.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik will send a bond request to the City Council Thursday requesting authorization for Westfield's $13 million share of the cost. He will ask the council to act on the request by mid-November.
The goal now is to do work outside of the architectural design by archictect Margo Jones of Greenfield, "which will include asbestos abatement at Ashley Street School, relocation of school administration in that building, demolition of Ashley Street School and site preparation for new constructiuon," Knapik said.
Also, School Committee member Kevin J. Sullivan, who with Knapik co-chair the School Building Committee, said other issues must also be addressed.
"Acceptance by Boston for the new school project provides a great opportunity for the district. With a new Superintendent and new Administration, the decisions made in the next two years will impact the educational system for decades to come. The upgrades this new school will provide will allow the Westfield to aggressively incorporate 21st century learning concepts and reshape our curriculum," said Sullivan.
"Our next step is to get bond approval by the City Council. Then work with the project manager and purchasing agent to get the project ready for bid," said Sullivan.
Knapik said plans call for construction bidding in March with the school scheduled for occupancy by September, 2013.
Sullivan indicated the School Department, between now and March, will engage in a formal redistricting study for the elementary school system. Officials have already decided that Abner Gibbs School, the oldest in use here, will close with completion of the new 600-student school building. Redistricting is expected to focus on Juniper Park School, which the city leases from Westfield State University, Highland Avenue School and Franklin Avenue School. That study may also consider Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center.
Highland School is expected to remain open, but Franklin Avenue could close as a result of redistricting. The lease for Juniper Park School expires this school year and students there could either go to Highland or the new school.
"Now that it looks like we're getting a new school, providing the City Council agrees to local funding, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered during the next several months," Sullivan said.