Parker School Building Committee: Community Forum 6

The Parker School Building Committee’s sixth community forum, hosted by Chelmsford TV on October 9, 2026, reviewed the Parker Middle School project’s schematic design, schedule, and projected costs. The project team—owner’s project manager Leftfield and designer AI3 Architects—said schematic design is nearing submission to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The committee selected a fully geothermal HVAC approach for schematic design, and the design includes a new school, restored wetland areas, expanded bus queuing, and solar-energy opportunities. Future phases will include design development and three further cost estimates; bidding and awards are anticipated afterward, potentially with an early site and superstructure package. Construction is projected to begin in spring 2028, with occupancy targeted for December 2030. No contract awards or bid approvals were reported.

The town manager estimated the town’s net contribution at about $138 million after MSBA reimbursement and other incentives covering roughly 46–47% of project costs. Based on FY2026 home values and current interest-rate assumptions, the estimated impact is about $595 for an average single-family home, borrowed over 30 years through a debt exclusion. The building committee had recently voted to hold a special town meeting on January 11, 2027, with a debt-exclusion vote scheduled for February 9, 2027, subject to town approval. The forum also discussed preserving the existing gazebo memorial, design flexibility, acoustics, and project financing; these were discussions rather than procurement decisions.