LYNN– The Lynn School Committee has taken an initial step toward addressing longstanding challenges in the city’s elementary school infrastructure, voting to submit two Statements of Interest (SOIs) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for projects involving the Callahan and Tracy elementary schools.
The vote, which took place during an April 9 meeting, signals the beginning of what members repeatedly described as a “very long process” aimed at modernizing aging school facilities, many of which no longer meet current educational standards.
It was emphasized that the submission does not commit Lynn to construction or funding decisions, but rather allows the district to enter the highly competitive MSBA pipeline for consideration.
“This is the first step in a comprehensive process,” said Mayor Jared Nicholson. “The reality is that more than half of our elementary school buildings are more than 100 years old, and we know we can’t replace all of them with new buildings.”
During the meeting, the committee underscored that improving school facilities has been a priority for years, particularly as progress continues at the secondary level. The new Pickering Middle School, currently under construction, is expected to open in early 2028, marking a significant milestone for the district.
Attention is now shifting to elementary schools, where conditions remain uneven.
“Addressing the conditions of our school facilities has been a top priority for us as a district for quite some time,” Nicholson said during the meeting. “But as we all know, we have a lot of work to do left at the elementary school.”
According to the district’s 2023 Elementary Facilities Master Plan, many buildings are outdated and lack essential features commonly found in modern schools. Nicholson noted that some schools are missing basic amenities such as gyms and cafeterias, while others face severe overcrowding.
Rather than pursuing costly new construction projects across the board, the city is exploring a strategy focused on renovations and additions to existing buildings. This approach is seen as more financially feasible and better suited to Lynn’s limited available land.
“If we ever want to get to the point where we can offer every student that experience… we will need to make the most of the existing assets that we have through renovations and additions,” Nicholson said.
Central to the current proposal is the potential expansion of the Julia F. Callahan Elementary School. Situated on a relatively large six-acre site, Callahan was identified as a strong candidate for renovation and expansion due to its capacity and location.
The city is also studying whether an upgraded Callahan could absorb students from the Tracy School, a building constructed in 1898 that lacks modern educational spaces such as a media center, art rooms, and outdoor facilities.
The idea of consolidation has raised concerns among community members, particularly those connected to Tracy. School Committee members acknowledged the emotional impact such changes could have.
“But we have to move forward and try to get new elementary schools because a lot of them are almost 100 years old,” School Committee member Brian Castellanos said.
Superintendent Molly Cohen reiterated that the SOI vote is procedural and does not determine the final outcome.
“It is not approving to build, making a financial commitment or making any decisions. We are simply entering into the MSBA process,” she said.
Cohen also emphasized the urgency of the timeline, noting that the application deadline leaves little room for delay.
“The SOI is due on the 17th at midnight. So we do only have a very short window to make this decision and move forward, if that is our choice,” she noted.
It was highlighted that the process leading to a potential school project could span many years.
If accepted into the MSBA program, the project would move through multiple phases, including eligibility, feasibility studies, design, and construction. Community input and potential redistricting decisions would also play a significant role.
“All of the questions that people have will come up during those stages,” Cohen said, adding that stakeholder engagement would be ongoing.
Financial considerations remain a key factor. While MSBA funding can reimburse up to 80 percent of eligible costs, city leaders cautioned that local investment would still be substantial.
“It’s still a sizable project,” Nicholson added. “Even with MSBA reimbursement, that’s a sizable capital investment for the city to make.”
Despite these challenges, School Committee members and the superintendent stressed the importance of acting now to secure a place in the state funding pipeline.
“If we miss this SOI, then we miss the window, and we have to wait for another window,” Cohen said.
The School Committee voted unanimously to approve both SOIs, first for Callahan and then for Tracy, allowing the city to formally submit its applications to the MSBA.
Supporters of the move framed it as a necessary step toward greater educational equity.
“We appreciate the opportunity to explore options that can enhance the elementary school experience and make it more equitable,” Cohen said. “We look forward to hearing from stakeholders as we move forward.”
While the votes mark only the beginning of the process, they reflect a broader recognition among city leaders that addressing aging infrastructure and overcrowding in Lynn’s elementary schools will require long-term planning, significant investment, and sustained community involvement.
