New Schools for Chelsea

Abstract

One of Boston University's stated aims as it went into partnership with the Chelsea Public Schools was to achieve something that has not been accomplished for over sixty years to build new schools as replacements for the out-of-date facilities now in use. During the 1950s, Harvard University had recommended replacing Chelsea's schools, but the city's leadership at that time did not support numerous requests from the Chelsea School Committee and from parents to act on Harvard's recommendations, and nothing was done. Many of the buildings still in use contain asbestos, have erratic heating systems which break down frequently, have leaky basements and inadequate plumbing, have no access for handicapped children, and have no auxiliary lighting. The newest structure is a 1926 addition to the Shurtleff School, which was constructed in 1909 at the same time as the high school. The oldest school building in use is the Burke School, erected in 1881-1882. As a member of the Boston University Management Team, which acts as the governing body for the schools, I was asked to help coordinate efforts to secure the new schools. As a start and using its own resources, Boston University hired The CO/OP, a nonprofit educational management organization based in Waltham, Massachusetts, to assist in the task. The CO/OP prepared an educational and facilities plan, and hired an architect to prepare schematics and estimate costs for the project. Edward Kazanjian and Oliver Brown, from The CO/OP, and I met with Representative Richard Voke to request his assistance. Mr. Voke responded enthusiastically by introducing legislation, which was eventually