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Chicopee

Chicopee City Council Approves Anna E. Barry School Bond

The city will replace the aging elementary school facility with a new building situated on Macek Street.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Primary Education

Isometric editorial illustration of architectural drafting tools and wooden building blocks, representing the development of a new school campus.
The Chicopee City Council approved a $106 million bond to replace the aging Anna E. Barry Elementary School with a modern facility. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Chicopee officials have officially approved a bond to fund the $106 million construction of a new Anna E. Barry Elementary School. The project will relocate the school to a site on Macek Street next to the Szetela Early Childhood Center.

Why it matters

The current 1963 building faces significant safety concerns, including the presence of asbestos and a lack of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This replacement ensures a modern, accessible learning environment for the citys 331 students.

The new facility will serve 331 students in grades kindergarten through five. The project budget is estimated at $106 million, with 80% of eligible costs covered by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

The players

Anna E. Barry Elementary School

This educational institution serves 331 students in Chicopee and is currently located on Connell Street.

Chicopee City Council

The local legislative body is responsible for approving city bonds and municipal funding for public infrastructure projects.

Massachusetts School Building Authority

This state agency oversees the planning and funding of capital improvement projects for public schools across Massachusetts.

Barry School Commission

This group of local volunteers with engineering and construction expertise managed the selection of the new school site.

The details

The Barry School Commission selected the Macek Street location after assessing multiple site options with a team of engineering and construction volunteers. In addition to the new school construction, the project includes necessary renovations to the adjacent Szetela Early Childhood Center.

Timeline

  1. The existing school facility was originally constructed in 1963.

  2. The Massachusetts School Building Authority approved funding for 80% of eligible costs in 2023.

  3. Chicopee City Council members voted to approve the bond measure on October 14, 2026.

  4. The new school location is currently scheduled to open in 2029.

Culture Shift

The school replacement follows a pattern set by the Americans with Disabilities Act by moving away from aging, non-compliant structures built in the mid-20th century. This shift reflects a growing societal commitment to ensuring public buildings provide equitable access for all residents.

Families in Chicopee can expect a transition to a modernized, safe facility for elementary students by 2029. The project is also expected to change local traffic patterns near Macek Street, alongside a separate, upcoming roundabout project planned by the state for Granby Road.

The takeaway

The approval of the school bond represents a significant investment in the citys educational infrastructure. Residents should prepare for ongoing construction activity in the Macek Street area as the project progresses toward the 2029 opening date.

Further reading

For more information on school infrastructure projects, visit the Chicopee Primary Education section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Masslive.

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Should local officials prioritize new school locations over concerns about neighborhood traffic density?