About the Project

The Town of Amherst in partnership with the Amherst School District has been invited into the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (MSBA’s) “pipeline” to support building an elementary school of 575 students in grades kindergarten through five (K-5).  The project will combine the Fort River and Wildwood communities in a single building.  We expect this process to take 12-18 months to complete the Feasibility Study and selection/design of a Preferred Option. At that point the project would be brought to a vote for a debt exclusion.  Once funding is secured, the project will enter the construction phase.

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This website will be regularly updated to provide information on the process, including advance notice of public forums or community events.  We look forward to public participation, questions, and input.

In collaboration with the design, project teams, and the School Committee, the Building Committee intends to engage teachers and staff, parents and guardians, and residents throughout the process through forums and other outreach efforts to inform our decision-making.

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The Elementary School Building Committee will oversee the building project, working closely with the School Committee and School leadership. The 13-member committee includes the Town Manager, Town Finance Director, Superintendent of Schools, the Principals of Fort River and Wildwood, the School Building Maintenance official, a member of the School Committee, two Town Councilors, and three residents.