For Immediate Release

Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: kelsey@jgpr.net

Rockland Voters Approve New Elementary School Building Project

ROCKLAND –Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron is pleased to announce that Rockland residents voted to pass the Elementary School Building Project through a ballot vote yesterday.

Residents in Rockland voted unanimously in favor of the project at Town Meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, and through a ballot vote in a Special Election yesterday.

The new school will combine all Rockland elementary students in the first through fourth grade from the Memorial Park, Jefferson and R. Stewart Esten Elementary schools in one, new 760 student state-of-the-art elementary school.

“We’re incredibly thankful to our residents for supporting this important step forward for Rockland Public Schools,” Superintendent Dr. Cron said. “This new building will not only replace outdated, inefficient facilities, but will far better support 21st century curriculum and allow our students to learn and grow in new, profound ways.”

The new facility will cost Rockland taxpayers approximately $50.7 million, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has awarded the district a $35.8 million grant for eligible costs as well. The total project is expected to cost approximately $86.6 million.

The new facility will be located at the site of the current Memorial Park Elementary School on Col. Brian Duffy Way, and the Jefferson Elementary School on James Street will be demolished. The will be property turned over to the Town’s Parks Department, and playing fields will be built for Rockland youth sports on the site.

The R. Stewart Esten Elementary School will become an Early Childhood Center housing all of the District’s kindergarten students.

The building project also features a lighted turf field to be located on the current site of the Memorial Park School. The new school will be located next door to the middle/high school complex.

The new, “green,” energy-efficient facility will feature large, open maker-spaces that encourage collaboration through the use of state-of-the-art technology as well as interdisciplinary and project-based learning. It will house large maker-spaces that emphasize science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEAM) education as well as outdoor classrooms to support a school-wide commitment to areas including special education, art and music.

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