ERVING — The various offices of Erving School Union 28 are getting acclimated to their new digs, having moved out of 18 Pleasant St. and into the various schools in its district about three weeks ago.
Erving decided last year it would discontinue use of the former Erving Elementary School, according to Bruce Turner, Union 28’s finance and operations director.
Turner said he, the union’s business office, human resources and accounts payable now operate out of the current Erving Elementary School at 28 Northfield Road, while the superintendent’s office is in Swift River School (which serves students from New Salem and Wendell) at 201 Wendell Road in New Salem. Union 28 Student Support Services now run out of Shutesbury Elementary School at 23 West Pelham Road and the director of learning design will be in Leverett Elementary School at 85 Montague Road.
“We’re assimilating to it. It’s a change, but it’s working out OK,” Turner said, adding that 25 to 30 percent of work is being conducted remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re manning our offices as best we can.”
Turner said the moves produce cost savings, which are especially useful amid the financial strain created by the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained Leverett, Shutesbury and Swift River elementary schools were paying the town of Erving about $6,000 in yearly rent while all four districts each contributed about $1,000 annually to a person who fulfills custodial duties. Plus, Turner said Union 28 paid $9,000 to $10,000 in fuel costs per year at the 18 Pleasant St. building.
The superintendent’s office can be reached at 978-544-3407 while the business office’s number is 413-423-3326, ext. 234. Student Support Services can be reached at 413-259-1212, ext. 125. The mailing address is: Erving School Union 28, P.O. Box 7, Erving, MA 01344.
According to Union 28’s website, Erving, Leverett, New Salem and Wendell voted to form a superintendency union in 1901. Shutesbury was voted into the union in 1902, forming the current Union 28 school district.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.