Plans to build a 124 million dollar new Mosier School despite warnings that the town’s current budget crisis could jeopardize the project.

A new Mosier School is long overdue for construction given the poor conditions of the building, the health risks and the lack of space compensated by modular classrooms. Recently the town voted on a 124 million dollar design plan that will house grades one through five. 

High school assistant   Mary Bonavita stated “this will be a 3 year construction period” when asked how long building the new school will take.

 “why did we choose the most expensive plan” Sue Stratton stated that “ I am not sure, given the financial distress in the community, however choosing something more expensive could give better architectural opportunities”  When asked how long the building would take Stratton stated “depends upon whether we have the ability to fund the project, given the dangers and risks of the budget deficit”

The current Mosier school has been described as “unhealthy” by Mosier School principal  with presence of asbestos in floor and ceiling tiles, as well as outdated, the school lacks special education classrooms, and bathrooms are poorly spaced out leading students to be out of class longer than needed. 

Additionally, facilities such as the computer center, music room, and gymnasium are poorly spaced out. According to the plan for the new mosier  school, these rooms will be located at the front of the building, and bathrooms will be spaced better for student access to minimize time out of class. Although the new building will bring opportunities to the town, the general consensus is that right now may not be the best time to construct a 124 million dollar school given the budget crisis and the proposed override.

“what is the point of  Skala if the proposed mosier will house grades 1-5” South Hadley teacher Jennifer Quinn stated that we could possibly expand the pre kindergarten and kindergarten programs in Skala, given the new space. Overall the general consensus is that the new Mosier School will bring opportunities to the community, and increase the number of people joining school choice. South Hadley Teacher, Neil Bergstrom states that “If the override is not passed, South Hadley Schools will begin to slide to an end and no new school will be constructed”