Published November 4, 2020
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — A new advocacy group has been formed in support of the elementary schools’ expansion project.
Due to increasing elementary school enrollment, the Board of Selectmen scheduled a Special Town Meeting for Saturday, Nov. 21 in order to ask townspeople to approve expanding the two elementary schools. If the Special Town Meeting approves the project, voters will then be asked to approve a debt exclusion on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
The $17 million expansion project entails constructing permanent additions onto both schools that would each contain five classrooms. Two existing classrooms at both schools would be renovated as well.
Summer Street’s proposed addition would be located off of the fourth grade wing while Huckleberry Hill’s addition would be located in the back of the building. Four traditional classrooms would be built at each addition while the fifth classroom at each building will be utilized as an individualized learning space.
Huckleberry Hill’s project also includes enlarging the gym. The project also includes expanding the parking lot, and the pick-up and drop-off areas at each school. New fields will be built at both schools, and a new playground will be built at Summer Street.
With the Special Town Meeting and debt exclusion vote looming, a group of parents have formed a new advocacy group called Together We Grow. Advocacy Group President Kate DePrizio, Campaign Director Bridget Charville, Principal Marketing Director Sarah Kelley and Community Outreach Director Crystal Lavino are currently leading the campaign effort.
“Together We Grow is an advocacy group working to maintain the high quality of education and enrichment in Lynnfield Public Schools,” said Kelley. “We are educating and uniting Lynnfield residents to vote yes for school expansion. We are a group of concerned parents that strive to inform and energize our community for the expansion project. We are casting our wide net and calling upon the tremendous talents of our friends and fellow residents to spread awareness about the Lynnfield school expansion project.”
Kelley recalled that there are 42 classrooms at both elementary schools. There are 22 classrooms at Huckleberry Hill School and 20 at Summer Street School, which also includes two dedicated classrooms for Lynnfield Preschool.
“Our elementary schools are at max capacity already,” said Kelley. “By the 2021-2022 school year, we will need 46 classrooms, leaving us short four classrooms. In 2023-2024, our elementary student body is projected to have grown by nearly 200 children, leaving us short by six classrooms. This is a need, not a want.”
Kelley also noted that enlarging Huckleberry Hill’s gym “would benefit all members” of the community.
“It provides additional meeting and recreational space,” said Kelley. “This space can be used for sports teams like youth basketball, who previously had to use other larger venues for their practices and games. It will be a space available to local veterans groups, the Lynnfield Historical Commission, A Healthy Lynnfield and many other groups looking for a meeting and event space.”
Kelley said both schools will be negatively impacted if voters reject the project. When asked what will happen if the expansion project does not get approved, Kelley said: “We’ll be back.”
“Our children deserve the highest quality education we can provide them, and that has been Lynnfield’s legacy over the decades,” said Kelley. “The schools are why so many Lynnfield natives are now moving back to raise their families here. The schools are the number one reason so many young families desire real estate in Lynnfield.”
Kelley recalled that, “Lynnfield has long been known for its top-tier schools.”
“Our students have had a tremendous amount of success,” said Kelley. “The foundation for that success is seeded in the early childhood education model. The school expansion project allows us to continue that model and affords the future generations of elementary students access to the same foundations that have made this district so successful.”
Kelley said Together We Grow is “counting on all generations being in support of bettering our schools.”
“You have supported our schools in the past and we hope you all do so again now,” said Kelley.
For more information about Together We Grow and the school expansion project, visit https://www.facebook.com/TogetherWeGrowLynnfield.
“On that page, you will find links to a Google form that will allow you to submit your email and phone number to volunteer or hear more information about the project,” said Kelley. “If someone is not on Facebook, send an email to togetherwegrowlps@gmail.com and we will keep you up to date on this project and how you can get involved.”
Together We Grow has created signs in support of the project. If a resident wants to order one, they should send an email to togetherwegrowlps@gmail.com and the advocacy group will deliver townspeople a sign.
In addition to Together We Grow, a number of community organizations have endorsed the expansion project, including the PTOs at both elementary schools, the Middle School PTO, Lynnfield Youth Basketball, Lynnfield Youth Field Hockey and Lynnfield Youth Volleyball.
