MERSD Newsletter

Help Shape the Character of the New Essex Elementary School!

As part of the Essex Elementary School Building Project, the design team has been exploring themes and imagery that reflect the character of Essex and create a welcoming and inspiring learning environment for students. The images in this survey are intended to capture ideas and themes rather than represent final designs, materials, or finishes. Your feedback will help the architects refine the building as the design process moves forward.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts.

Share Your Input – Design Survey

Where We Are in the Process

The Essex Elementary School Building Project continues to move forward through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process. Following the completion of the Feasibility Study and the selection of a preferred option, the project is scheduled to enter the Schematic Design phase pending approval by the MSBA Board of Directors on June 24th.

Schematic Design: What Happens Next?

Schematic Design is the phase where the project begins to take shape. During this stage, the District works with its architects, project managers, and the MSBA to further develop the preferred option. This includes refining:

• Overall building and site layout
• Floor plans and room locations
• Exterior concepts and major building systems
• Traffic flow, safety, and accessibility
• More detailed project cost estimates and schedules

This phase results in a comprehensive submission to the MSBA that defines the project's scope, budget, and schedule in enough detail for both the state and the community to evaluate the project and make informed decisions about funding.

CM at Risk

The School Building Committee recently voted to pursue the project using the Construction Manager at Risk (CM at Risk) delivery method.

Under this approach, a construction manager joins the project team during the design process and works alongside the architects and engineers to provide expertise related to cost, scheduling, and constructability. Bringing construction expertise into the process early helps identify potential challenges, improve cost control, and reduce risk before construction begins.

Summer Schedule

The summer will be a busy and productive period for the project team as schematic design gets underway. Regular School Building Committee meetings will provide opportunities to review progress, refine the design, and keep the community informed.

📅 Upcoming Meetings

• June 23rd – Business Meeting - EES/Virtual @ 6:00 PM
• July 14th – Business Meeting - Virtual @ 6:00 PM
• July 21 & 22 Construction Manager Interviews - EES/Virtual @ 6:00 PM
• July 28th – Business Meeting - Virtual @ 6:00 PM
• August 11th – Business Meeting - Virtual @ 6:00 PM
• August 25th – Community Meeting and Business Meeting - EES/Virtual @ 6:00 PM
• September 8th – Business Meeting - - EES/Virtual @ 6:00 PM

📅 Community Update Meeting

The August 25th meeting will include a community update and provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the evolving design and offer feedback.

Looking Ahead

Following MSBA approval, the project team will begin schematic design and continue refining the building and site while engaging the community throughout the process. We remain committed to keeping the community informed and appreciate the continued support and engagement of our school communities.

For more information, including meeting materials and project documents, please watch our Essex Elementary School Building Project Video Series or visit the Essex Elementary Building Project website.

During the June 16th School Committee Meeting we provided an update on the status of our MERSD District Improvement Plan. You can view the DIP and overview slides Linked Here.

View some of our own MERSD student artwork at the Cape Ann Museum this summer!

Manchester Essex Athletics is excited to announce our transition to a new scheduling platform and the launch of our new athletics website in partnership with Bound Athletics. All practices and athletic contests will be posted on the site, and we encourage families to create an account and subscribe to their student-athlete’s schedule to receive real-time updates and notifications.

We are also seeking sponsors for the website. Families who own or have connections to local businesses interested in placing a banner advertisement on our site are encouraged to contact us at athletics@mersd.org for more information.

Congratulations to the 2026 MIAA D4 Girls Tennis State Champions!

Bus Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open. Please register as soon as possible if your student will be riding the (Big Yellow School Bus) bus during the 2026-2027 school year. Registrations are due by July 25th. Please visit our website HERE to register!

All bus riders, regardless of distance to their school, must register to ride the bus in order to receive a bus pass. In accordance with the fee schedule established by the School Committee of the Manchester Essex Regional School District (MERSD), all riders who live less than 1.5 miles from school must pay a $230 transportation fee. Bus passes will be distributed at school during the first two weeks of the new school year. After that time, only students with a bus pass will be allowed to ride. For more information about Busing and Transportation, please email: schoolbus@mersd.org

The Open Door Food Truck will not be running during the Summer months. For more information about The Open Door please visit their website.

Please visit our website HERE to view the 2026-2027 School Calendar.

36 Lincoln St.

Manchester, MA 01944

https://www.mersd.org/

Phone 978.526.4919

Fax 978.526.7585