GREENFIELD — Should the Greenfield School Department purchase The Center School property following the closure of the independent school at the end of the academic year?
That’s the question the mayor and superintendent will need to answer after the Greenfield School Committee voted on Monday to explore the viability of purchasing the 30-acre campus at 739 Bernardston Road.
The preliminary proposal was brought forth by the Budget, Finance and Warrants Subcommittee. Ann Childs, who chairs the subcommittee, explained that after hearing about the pending closure of The Center School, committee members wondered what the property would cost and whether it would be a viable option to potentially replace one of the public school district’s aging buildings.
“We know The Center School is closing, we know we have a bunch of very old schools with a lot of needs, we know The Center School has a new beautiful building,” Childs said. “Our problem is that we have buildings that are quite old, not in the best shape. … Is this school a financially viable, better option than what we have now?”
Center School closure
In early October, The Center School’s board of directors announced that the facility, serving students in preschool through eighth grade, would be closing at the end of the academic year in June 2027. In the wake of declining enrollment, rising costs and a $5.5 million mortgage in default, the board of directors determined the school would need to close. The Center School dates back to 1981, and its new 23,678-square-foot building opened in 2021.
“The decision to close was made with profound sadness, but also with deep responsibility,” Ashlee Haslett, chair of the board of directors, said in a statement in October. “The board, alongside our administration, explored every conceivable alternative — from expanding fundraising and exploring mergers to restructuring tuition models and creating new auxiliary revenue streams. The Center School is a truly magical place and we are heartbroken to lose this center for progressive education in the valley. However, taking decisive, transparent action now allows us to honor our commitments to our current students, staff and families through a thoughtful final year.”
In the October statement, Amanda Richard and Lauren Obregon, interim co-heads of school, shared that the focus over the next few months would be on supporting students and staff during the transition.
“We share deeply in the sorrow felt by our whole community, but our commitment to our students remains steady and unwavering,” Richard said. “Our priority right now is providing a grounded, nurturing environment for our children. We are focused on guiding our families through upcoming admissions cycles with care and ensuring every student feels supported every single day they step onto campus.”
“The Center School has always been defined by its extraordinary community — its dedicated educators, curious students and deeply invested families,” Obregon added. “Over the coming year, we intend to celebrate that legacy with grace, reflection and joy. We look forward to creating meaningful opportunities for past and present families, alumni and friends to gather and honor what we have built together.”
Greenfield considers needs
School Committee member Elizabeth DeNeeve questioned the purpose of the proposal on Monday, and said the exploration of Greenfield’s school building needs is being worked on by the Long-term Facilities Use Advisory Committee, which was formed earlier this year.
Member Melissa McKenzie Webb added that while the facilities committee may be reviewing facility needs, the issue also “comes down to money,” and it would be prudent for the city’s Ways and Means Committee to look into the cost of The Center School building, as well as the cost of operating each of the district’s existing buildings, to see if the purchase could be an option for Greenfield.
Greenfield has several school buildings that are approaching 100 years old, and will require capital improvement projects and renovations to continue serving students in the future. The Academy of Early Learning was built in 1920, Federal Street School has sections that were built in 1906 and other sections built in the 1930s, Newton School was constructed in 1915 and Four Corners School dates back to 1955.
“How much money are we going to continue to put into our crumbling buildings?” Webb asked. “It doesn’t mean we’re making a commitment or anything. It’s just that we explore other things.”
Mayor Ginny Desorgher, who also serves on the School Committee, said she has heard from several residents suggesting the city purchase The Center School property, and while her initial thought was wondering where the city would come up with the money, she would be interested in learning more about the property and getting initial figures. She said she would be willing to work with the superintendent to do the research.
“I’d be inclined to vote ‘yes’ just to explore it,” Desorgher said. “To investigate the viability of that, not committing to anything.”
Member Jeffrey Diteman noted that The Center School is located close to Four Corners School, the newest of Greenfield’s elementary schools. He said he believes Four Corners is the least likely building to close if the School Department determined one needed to be shuttered due to the cost of repairs and maintenance, and he does not think it would be beneficial to Greenfield to buy The Center School, given the two buildings’ proximity.
Ultimately, the School Committee voted to explore the viability of buying The Center School, with an amendment saying the research results will be presented to the Long-term Facilities Use Advisory Committee. Diteman and DeNeeve abstained from the final vote.
