Committee advances elementary school project to design phase after public input on seven site options.
Elementary School Project Building Committee presented design Option 5 consolidating grades one through five into one building. Chair Diane Mulvaney heard 32 community members raise concerns about traffic impacts, property values, and residential proximity during the 10-minute public comment
Elementary School Project Building Committee · Meeting of March 18, 2026
SOUTH HADLEY — Elementary School Project Building Committee presented design Option 5 consolidating grades one through five into one building. Chair Diane Mulvaney heard 32 community members raise concerns about traffic impacts, property values, and residential proximity during the 10-minute public comment period. Chris LeBlanc of Mt.
Vernon Architects detailed the site plan, which includes separate bus and parent drop-off loops, one-way parent circulation, and centralized parking, with results from cost estimators expected in several weeks. A traffic study is planned for April, following final option selection, and will analyze daytime and evening patterns before the committee submits the Preferred Schematic Report to MSBA on April 20.
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Source: the Elementary School Project Building Committee meeting of March 18, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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