School Building Project

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Greylock Elementary School North Adams Public Schools Community Access Television Presentation

Since 2010, there have been multiple applications to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on behalf of Greylock Elementary School. Over the course of these applications, the Colegrove Park Elementary School (formerly Conte Middle School) project was given precedence over the consideration of construction at the Greylock Elementary School site and formally approved in 2012. The renovation of Colegrove Park Elementary School was completed in 2016 and included the closure of the Sullivan Elementary School.

In 2019, the MSBA accepted the district’s statement of interest for a school building project at Greylock Elementary School. Since then, various stakeholders in the North Adams community have been engaged in working through the various MSBA requirements to move the proposed project forward. These community stakeholders make up North Adams School Building Committee, which is comprised of members of the North Adams School Committee, faculty, parents, community members, and district and school administration.

One of the first requirements in an MSBA school building project is establishing the projected enrollment of the district and the new school. 

This projected enrollment determines the square footage that the MSBA will allow for the proposed project. MSBA funding for the project is calculated using a needs-based funding formula in combination with anticipated local contribution.

Proposed Project: New PreK-2 School at Greylock Elementary Site

Berkshire County has been very active in reviewing the impact a declining population and subsequent declining student enrollment have on school districts across the region. As we considered the enrollment for a potential new elementary school, the MSBA advised the following two actions: 

  • to consider the closure of a school, as the district’s projected enrollment no longer supports the need for three elementary schools, and 

  • to submit a second statement of interest for Brayton Elementary School in addition to Greylock Elementary School. 

This advice allowed the North Adams School Building Committee to consider various options in the course of developing the preliminary schematic design of feasibility, including: 

  • New construction of Brayton Elementary School

  • Renovation of Brayton Elementary School

  • New construction of Greylock Elementary School

  • Renovation of Greylock Elementary School

After careful consideration of this advice, the School Building Committee elected to exit the feasibility phase of the project and return to the eligibility phase in order to consider a reconfiguration of the district that would establish three grade-span schools:

The proposed MSBA project would focus on new construction of the Greylock Elementary School site for a new early elementary PreK-2 school, as part of district-wide grade reconfiguration. 

 

Students with Science fair project

Grade Configuration (beginning 24-25 school year)

One earl elementary school for grades PreK-2

One upper elementary school for grades 3-6

One comprehensive high school for grades 7-12

Educational Program & Plan

What are the benefits of grade-span schools?

In the new grade reconfiguration, the district would operate three buildings: one school for grades PreK-2, one school for grades 3-6, and a comprehensive 7-12 high school.

The benefits to operating grade-span schools include:

  • All students in each grade move together as a cohort, creating an increased sense of community

  • Enhanced flexibility for teachers to adjust grade levels annually amidst fluctuating class sizes

  • Targeted, integrated approach for special education needs

  • Increased educator collaboration opportunities in each grade level

    By moving to a model where grades PreK–2 are housed separately from grades 3–6, similar academic and social-emotional functions of school are grouped together to give students a cohesive learning experience that supports student development at each grade level.

Colegrove park Elementary

Photo of Colegrove Park Elementary School

Teacher painting a students face

Ultimately, the School Building Committee referred this grade configuration to the full School Committee for consideration and approval, which was granted. The project re-entered the feasibility phase with a focus on the Greylock site for an early elementary PreK-2 school. 

After reviewing preliminary design costs, the School Building Committee voted unanimously to support a new school construction for our youngest learners, representing an educational focus and plan for increased early-childhood experiences to improve literacy and numeracy skill development in an inclusive learning environment.

With state support, this new school will foster innovation in early learning that will have long-term impacts on the educational outcomes for the children of North Adams and the community in which they live.

Why is there a need for a new school?

Greylock Elementary School, built in 1954 with an addition in 1965, now faces significant structural issues.

This includes eroded concrete, outdated electrical systems, and a boiler with no new replacement parts available. The school also lacks the space and accessibility required by modern standards, necessitating a major renovation to meet current educational needs.

Students with Science fair project

Renovating Brayton Elementary School, would cost the taxpayers more than building a new school at the Greylock site.

Brayton's roof lining, replaced in 2001 and partially repaired in 2019, still suffers from leaks. Its original windows fog and leak, and the boiler has piping failures. Most of the building receives limited natural light, and its entryway design causes temperature regulation issues. Additionally, much of the original 1994 carpeting remains, with some areas replaced by tiles due to water damage or mold.

The estimated cost to renovate Brayton Elementary School is approximately $45 million. This renovation would address various issues, including mechanical systems, electrical upgrades, and structural repairs needed to continue to utilize the building as a school. However, the renovation would not fully meet the school's architectural priorities, such as improved outdoor access, natural light, and adaptable learning spaces. The rising costs of construction and supply chain issues influenced the decision to consider building a new school instead. The breakdown of costs includes major expenses like mechanical system replacement ($13.3 million), HVAC ($11.1 million), and electrical upgrades ($6.6 million), among others can be found, below in our FAQ.

There is no zero-cost option to maintaining our school buildings in the City of North Adams.

Cost Projections

Schools built through the MSBA process are intended to be designed with a focus on the future, and support the education of our community’s students for the next 50 years.

 

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Financials

How will the city fund this project?

To fund the Greylock School Building Project, the City is proposing a 30-year loan, using a tiered borrowing structure, meaning the impact on household taxes will vary over the course of those 30 years. The maximum impact of this loan on each household’s taxes would be seen in 2029. Every other year of the loan would have less of an impact.

For households meeting the median average home value, the estimated tax increase in 2029, on average, would be $270 for the year. This equates to $0.74 per day or $22.50 per month. Not all households will see the same tax increase: the increase will vary based on each household’s assessed home value. The tax increase you will see will be adjusted based on whether your home value is above or below the median average.

Because a loan is proposed, the City is suggesting a debt repayment method that is different from a regular tax increase, called a Debt Exclusion. 

Debt exclusion allows the City to raise extra funds specifically for paying off debt related to a particular project, without affecting the usual tax limits set by Proposition 2½. When the City uses a debt exclusion, they determine their usual tax limit and then add the extra debt payments on top of that limit, but only for as long as it takes to pay off the debt.

This repayment method is different from a Proposition 2½ Override. An override is a permanent increase in the amount of taxes the City can collect. An override can raise the tax limit, but only up to a certain amount. The City is not proposing a Proposition 2½ override to fund this project.

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Kids

Enrollment

  • Projected Enrollment Trends:

    Reports indicate a projected decline in enrollment for North Adams Public Schools.

    A comprehensive enrollment projection was developed using data from multiple sources, including DESE, the Department of Public Health, US Census, and UMASS Donahue Institute. The projection, originally presented in February 2021, used data from 2001 to 2020 to forecast enrollment through 2030.


  • Initial Enrollment Forecast in 2021:

    • Grades K-6: 625 students

    • Grades 7-12: 474 students

    • PreK to Grade 6: 716 students (includes 91 “seats outside of the project school” from PreK programs)


  • Revisited Enrollment Forecast in 2023:

    • Grades K-6: 535 students

    • PreK to Grade 6: 626 students (includes 91 “seats outside of the project school” from PreK programs)


  • Current School Capacities as reported by NESDC 2017:

    • Brayton Elementary School: Capacity for 449 students

    • Colegrove Park Elementary School: Capacity for 420 students


      Both schools cannot accommodate all PreK-6 students; two elementary schools are needed.


  • Factors Affecting Enrollment:

    Decline in population is being experienced all over the regional population, not just North Adams.

    Population trends may change due to factors like employment growth, housing, and educational opportunities (e.g., the reopening of North Adams Regional Hospital).

  • Opportunities:

    There is potential for shared services and regionalization with neighboring districts.

    High-functioning, accessible school facilities may attract partnerships and discussions on future regionalization.

Community Engagement and Participation

How can families provide feedback?

To provide feedback about the project, families of NAPS students and all North Adams community members can get involved by attending the open, publicly-accessible School Building Committee meetings, which are held at the Welcome Center at Brayton Elementary School. The postings for each meeting can be found here.

North Adams Public Schools will also hold regular community forums to both solicit feedback from and provide information to the community. These forums are held as in-person and virtual meetings and are announced on the district website and social media as they are scheduled.

Project Timeline

Community members

FAQS