MARBLEHEAD — The Elbridge Gerry School should be closed permanently.
That’s the recommendation of a school department study which said the condition of the 112-year-old school is unsafe for school children and faculty.
The school has been shuttered since January when a steam pipe leak led to moving the 140 students to other schools.
The survey found the school’s roof leaks, its HVAC system is outdated, and there are cracks and sagging in areas.
“It’s 2018 and these are modern times and they require us to provide modern facilities for our students to learn,” said School Committeewoman Jennifer Schaeffner. “The Gerry School doesn’t meet the standards for our children.”
Superintendent Maryann Perry said kindergarten students will continue to attend Malcolm Bell School and first graders at L. H. Coffin School into next year.
She said if the School Committee accepts the recommendation at its April 12 meeting, Town Meeting will be asked next year to close the facility permanently.
“It’s a sad day that we have come to,” said Schaeffner. “I’m truly heartbroken that we are here, but we are here.”
Stephanie Callahan, a Gerry School parent, said while the transition to other schools has been seamless, something will be lost if the school closes.
“One of the things we will lose is that parent community,” she said. “At Gerry, 80 to 90 percent of the parents were engaged day-to-day. It was really special. I don’t know if there’s anything that can be done about that, but I just wanted to share.”
School Committeewoman Meredith Tedford agreed.
“No one at this table takes this decision lightly,” she said.
While the future of the property as a school building is unlikely, officials hope the town can reuse the historic property built when Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House.
“If we decide to no longer keep Gerry as a school building, the town remains committed to keeping it intact and improved,” Schaeffner said. “Perhaps in a second life Gerry can be a community center.”
