As a Manchester Resident, I Support Essex Elementary

To the Editor,

I am writing to express my support for the proposed replacement of Essex Elementary School.

I recently completed a three-year term on the Manchester Essex Regional School Committee, during which I also served on the Essex Elementary School Building Committee (the “EES Committee”) as the School Committee’s Manchester representative.

The EES Committee is primarily composed of resident volunteers who went through an interview and selection process that I had the privilege of participating in.  The committee includes architects, contractors, engineers, and other professionals with a broad range of technical expertise and professional experience.

Notably, several members also served on the building committee responsible for the construction of Manchester Memorial Elementary School.

During my time on the EES Committee, I was consistently impressed by the level of thought, diligence, and attention to detail that went into every discussion.  While public boards and committees can sometimes become bogged down in circular discussions or competing agendas, the EES Committee was refreshingly technical, thoughtful, and focused on finding the best solutions.  Members regularly asked challenging

questions, scrutinized both major decisions and seemingly minor details, and evaluated issues from multiple perspectives.  The committee genuinely leveraged the collective expertise of its members, and I was incredibly impressed by the time, energy, and commitment these volunteers brought to the process.  I consider myself fortunate to have played even a small role in their work.

I share this because I believe it is important for residents to understand just how much careful consideration, technical analysis, and professional judgment went into the proposal before us.

I fully appreciate the sticker shock associated with the proposed cost, particularly when compared to the cost of Manchester Memorial just a few years ago.  The increase is staggering and understandably difficult for taxpayers to digest.  Unfortunately, construction costs have risen dramatically due to a combination of economic factors largely beyond our control.  As frustrating as that reality is, it does not change the condition of the existing Essex Elementary School or the need to address it.

What I find equally difficult to justify is the prospect of continuing to invest substantial taxpayer dollars in capital improvements and ongoing maintenance for a building that is deteriorating and has long since outlived its useful life.  At some point, we need to ask ourselves whether continuing to spend money simply to maintain an inadequate facility is truly the fiscally responsible decision.

And what will construction costs look like five years from now?  Ten years from now?  There is certainly no guarantee that delaying this project will make it any more affordable.  In fact, we could find ourselves facing an even more expensive project, having spent additional taxpayer dollars in the meantime just to keep the existing building operational.

We have already invested significant time, effort, and resources to reach this point, and we have secured the attention and participation of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). 

That is not an opportunity we should take lightly.

I remember the condition of the old Manchester Memorial Elementary School. It was a disgrace and fell well short of what our students, teachers, and community deserved.  Today, we have a beautiful, modern school that our community can take tremendous pride in.  The students, families, and educators of Essex deserve that same opportunity.

I recognize that this is a significant financial commitment, and I respect that residents will have differing opinions about the cost.  But having seen firsthand the diligence, expertise, and thoughtfulness behind this proposal, I have confidence in the process and strongly believe that moving forward is the right decision for our community.

Let's get this over the finish line.

John Binieris

Manchester