‘Tight timeline’: CMS in final push for February 24 opening 

By Dakota Antelman — [email protected]

The Concord Middle School building project is on track to open as scheduled — but just barely. 

Officials are working with town staff in a sprint toward an occupancy permit for the Ellen Garrison Building at CMS. 

“There’s really nothing that makes me think it won’t work,” schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter told The Concord Bridge on January 29. 

That said, Hunter acknowledged there’s little room for a delay because current plans involve getting teachers into the building on the last day before February break. If teachers can’t get in, Hunter said, “we’re just going to have to stay put until we can do it.” 

If the school opens on time, it will do so without its auditorium after that portion of the project experienced delays. 

“The initial drawings weren’t perfect,” Hunter said. “So, it just took time to rectify that.” 

Facing pressure in other areas, Hunter said officials also huddled and identified the auditorium as a “swing space.” Work hasn’t stopped. But Hunter said crews prioritized finishing other parts of the building.

Hunter said the auditorium will “hopefully” be done by the end of March. 

In addition to the auditorium, the building’s permanent sign facing Old Marlboro Road won’t be ready for day one. Hunter said crews were still waiting for steel as of January 29. The school will have banners in place of a sign until the metal arrives. 

Community excitement

The CMS project has sparked local discourse ranging from disagreements over funding to debates about the new building’s name. Now, officials are excited to welcome students who currently attend classes in the aging Peabody and Sanborn buildings. 

“We’re going to pick up the really strong programs we have and put them in there,” Hunter said. “And there’s just no reason to think it’s not going to get even stronger.” 

Among the new building’s perks, school leaders look forward to increased natural light and a connection to nature. 

Principal Justin Cameron said the space will give leaders more opportunities to host large numbers of families interested in their child’s school. It will also have more space for students to come together. 

Hunter said officials will make good on a promise to open the school as a community space. Already, she said, staff are working with youth basketball leaders to get teams into the new gym before their season ends. 

Supporting students

Cameron acknowledged moving to a new school may be hard for some students. 

Officials hoped to run tours before their first day of classes on February 24. Still awaiting the occupancy permit, Hunter said, “the lack of access is a challenge.” 

Cameron and other staff have met with students to answer questions. In place of tours, he said, officials are working on a series of videos to help students get acclimated. 

He said officials also involved students in project planning long before this point. 

“Keeping them close, giving them agency and voice, I think, has really allowed them to feel less anxious,” he said.

As they support students, district leaders are planning several events to celebrate the transition:

• A winter fun run, walk, and stroll from Peabody to Sanborn is scheduled for February 13. Police will close Old Marlboro Road to vehicle traffic between the schools.
• Officials will open the Peabody and Sanborn schools to all Concord residents on February 15 from 10 a.m. to noon for a surplus day, when residents can retrieve free items.
• The Robbins House will host free events from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on February 19, celebrating the middle school and namesake Garrison. 

Under budget

Hunter said there is no single issue holding up the occupancy permit. She praised officials throughout town government, saying “They’re working incredibly collaboratively with us on a really tight timeline.” 

She also thanked community members who supported the new school with their tax dollars. Unexpected costs could crop up when crews demolish the Sanborn school. But Hunter said, “We should be on track to remain under budget.”

Barring major surprises, Hunter said the town won’t borrow for the unspent budget. 

“So, the [tax] bills will stay lower,” she said. 

As officials work to secure their permit and prepare to celebrate a long-awaited milestone, Hunter said the new CMS “is already exceeding our expectations.”

“I think, once we catch our breath, the vision will grow,” she said. “But it’s so inspiring over there that I’m sure it’s just going to be phenomenal.”