A crowd of more than 100 people let out a big cheer as Mayor Joshua Garcia used a huge pair of scissors to snip a shiny red ribbon, symbolically marking the grand opening of the district's new middle school following 18 months of construction.
The new Dr. William R. Peck Middle School—the same name as the school formerly on the site—is the first school built in Holyoke since 1989.
On Tuesday, September 2, Mayor Garcia and Interim Superintendent Anthony Soto—along with members of the Holyoke City Council, School Committee, and School Building Committee—participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new middle school that will serve up to 550 students. They were joined by Maria Puopolo, director of external affairs of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), Senator John Velis, Representative Patricia Duffy, and students, families, and staff of the new middle school.
“This middle school building reflects our city’s commitment to and belief in our children,” Mayor Garcia said. “Our school district’s motto is ‘Juntos Podemos, Together We Can.’ This school is the physical embodiment of community leaders, families, and educators coming together to invest in our young people and the future of our great city.”
The new 107,475-square foot middle school is an important component of Holyoke’s efforts to strengthen educational learning opportunities and reimagine the middle school experience. The new middle school replaces the poorly designed, energy-inefficient previous school that no longer met the needs of a modern education.
“One important focus area for Holyoke Public Schools is belonging and well-being. This building helps us realize this goal,” Mr. Soto said. “I can imagine the learning and joy we will see when we walk these hallways and classrooms this year and in the years to come, including students discussing and collaborating in well-lit, spacious classrooms. Students conducting group experiments in our STEM lab. Student-musicians learning new instruments in a soundproof music room. Family and community members cheering on the Peck Phoenix student-athletes in the gym. We are looking forward to so many more opportunities for our students and families, our staff, and the Holyoke community.”
Councilor Tessa R. Murphy-Romboletti shared her optimism, as well. “This project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our Holyoke youth. I am thankful for the School Building Committee and local leaders for coming together to design a school at a price we could afford. I am thankful to my predecessors on the City Council and to the Massachusetts School Building Authority who voted to approve funding for this project. I am grateful to the School Building Committee, School Committee, and our consultant team of Accenture, Mount Vernon Group, and Fontaine Bros for working diligently to make our vision a reality. Finally, I am thankful for our district and school leaders and educators for being stewards of this vision.”
The $85.5-million project was officially approved in June 2023 by the City of Holyoke and the MSBA. The City of Holyoke is responsible for paying approximately $27.1 million and the MSBA will reimburse approximately $58.4 million. Currently, the project is estimated to be approximately 10% under budget.
Representative Pat Duffy said, “I appreciate the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s support of Holyoke over the years. I'm so proud to be part of this community that came together determined to build a new middle school that will serve our students for decades to come.”
Fontaine Bros. is the general contractor for the school building. Mount Vernon Group Architects is the design firm for the new Peck School, and Accenture is serving as the Owner’s Project Manager. The Peck School has been sustainably designed to be highly energy efficient. It is one of the first new schools in Massachusetts to be built under the state’s new energy code designed to improve energy efficiency and align with the state’s greenhouse gas-emission limits.
“The new Peck School represents more than just a new building. It’s a powerful symbol of our city’s investment in education, and the future of Holyoke’s children,” said School Committee Vice Chair Dr. Yadilette Rivera Colón. “This project reflects years of collaboration, vision, and advocacy, and I’m proud to celebrate this historic moment with our students, families, and community.”
The wider Holyoke community was invited to attend a community open house at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2. Peck Principal Kevin McGrath, Assistant Superintendent Jackie Glasheen, Director of Maintenance and Facilities Sean Sheedy, and Chief of Strategy Erin Linville—all of whom have played pivotal roles in seeing this building come to completion—led building tours.
Learn more on the district website.