LYNNFIELD — Monday was a special day at the Huckleberry Hill Elementary School with teachers and their colleagues getting a first look at the results of an $18.5 million project to construct additions at the school and Summer Street Elementary School.
“It was great because it gave the teachers the chance to have input on how they want to use the space,” said Lynnfield School Building Committee Chair John Scenna. “We still have some work to do, but we are nearing the finish line for sure. We should have all phases done by August in time for the start of the fall school year.”
The project, originally expected to cost approximately $17 million, was approved by voters at a special Town Meeting in November 2020. The project had been proposed to address an unprecedented spike in the town’s elementary enrollment, which is projected to top off by the 2024-25 academic year.
Phase one of the project calls for the construction of new additions containing five classrooms at each school and a new gymnasium at Huckleberry. Phase two calls for renovation of existing space, which will create new preschool spaces and additional classroom-instruction space. The project also included reconfiguration of the parking lots and entrances, updated bus pick-up and drop-off routes and new outdoor spaces, including playgrounds along with new and renovated athletic fields.
Department of Public Works Director John Tomasz said work this week is focused on installing furniture like “cabinets, desks, chairs, and sinks.”
Scenna said students are expected to be completely moved into the new classrooms at Huckleberry during the week of May 2.
“The project will then move on to other areas in the school that we are going to renovate,” said Scenna. “The new gymnasium will also get underway by this summer.”
Work will continue in June with improvements to the parking lot, fields, the playground, and the addition of an outdoor classroom, Scenna said. There is much more work to be completed to the exterior of the Huckleberry Hill Elementary School, including on Knoll Road, which leads to the school building, he said.
Summer Street School students and staff are expected to begin to move into their new classrooms during the week of May 9, said Scenna, with the move completed by May 16.
The renovation then will continue on the school grounds with the construction of a new playground, outdoor classroom, basketball court and other outdoor amenities. Work inside will transition to the preschool-classroom areas of the school.
“We are going to continue to work on the outside of the schools throughout May in hopes of getting the playground completed and some other outside features done for students so that they will have it for their end-of-the-year events in June,” said Scenna.
Scenna said the moving process has been “tricky, but it’s not that hard.” When completed, there will be 25 classrooms at each school, up from 20.
Huckleberry Hill Principal Melissa Wyland said she is grateful to the parents and staff for their patience during construction.
“I couldn’t be happier, as this has not been easy trying to go on as normal during construction,” she said. “I am truly amazed at the way the whole process has been conducted and am so very excited to have such an incredible space.”
Superintendent of Schools Kristen Vogel added her appreciation.
“We are looking forward to the outdoor play spaces being completed this summer so that they are ready for the start of school in the fall,” she said.
