Selectmen Vote To Form Elementary School Building Committee

The Board of Selectmen has taken the next step toward addressing problems with the town's four elementary schools by voting to form an Elementary School Building Committee.

The board acted on a motion put forth by Selectwoman Anne Marie Stronach at its Tuesday night meeting. The vote was 4-0 with Selectman Todd Johnson absent.

According to the motion, the new committee will be charged with "reviewing and addressing the findings of deficiency and safety concerns in the 2006 Tewksbury Long Range Facilities Master Plan." The committee will also be using the recommendations and reports put forth by the School Building Facilities Committee.

In October, based upon the findings of the School Building Facilities Committee, the town submitted Statements of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Much of the work done by the Elementary School Building Committee will be shaped by the feedback received from the SBA.

Ultimately, the new committee will be creating a report and submitting recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and School Committee regarding funding and funding sources available and potential locations for a new school.

No timetable has been given to the committee to complete its work and the committee is not funded.

According to the motion, the committee will be made up of 11 members:

• Two members of the Board of Selectmen
• Two members of the School Committee
• A member of the Finance Committee
• A school principal appointed by the superintendent of schools
• A community member knowledgeable in building construction
• A community member knowledgeable in mission and delivery of education
• The town manager
• The superintendent of schools
• The school department business manager

The Town Clerk will be posting the positions available to the public with information on how to apply.