News

Next community input session scheduled for Nov. 20 at Chelmsford Elks Lodge

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (Nov. 14, 2025) – Members of the community were invited to weigh in on the Parker Middle School Building Project in Chelmsford on Wednesday, Oct. 22, during the first of three public forums.

The project is currently in the feasibility study phase, with the School Building Committee recently bringing on board LeftField Project Management as the owners project manager and Ai3 Architects as the project designer.

David Saindon, project executive with LeftField, said Chelmsford is incredibly lucky to be partnering with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for the Parker School Building Project.

“I always say that if a district gets invited in, that district has won the lottery,” he said, noting the low acceptance rates for communities that submit statements on interest to the MSBA. “There are some districts that have been submitting for eight years and they have not been accepted in.”

Being in that pipeline means the MSBA will participate in the funding for the Parker project, with the base reimbursement rate at 52% of eligible costs associated with the building process.

Tori Geier, project manager with Ai3 Architects, said the design team was recently able to take a tour of the current Parker Middle School.

“We did notice that the facilities department does a great job of maintaining your buildings, but they are still showing their age, especially when it comes to accessibility,” she said, adding that there are several issues with non-code compliance and the majority of the learning spaces in the building are undersized per MSBA guidelines.

After Troy Randall, founding partner with Ai3 Architects, highlighted some of the learning environments seen in middle schools today, those in attendance were invited to take part in an interactive mapping exercise. They were asked to consider the challenges and opportunities of the existing site, as well as current and potential uses, and affix a sticky note containing their thoughts to a large map of the Parker Middle School location.

At the end of the public forum, participants were asked to write down what success for the Parker Middle School Building Project looks like to them. Some of the thoughts that were shared included:

• Town support
• Accessibility for all
• STEAM
• Students being involved
• Inclusive learning
• 100% sustainable

The next public forum will take place on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Chelmsford Elks Lodge, 300 Littleton Road, beginning at 7 p.m. The School Building Committee will meet prior to the forum beginning at 6 p.m. at the same location.

For more information about the school building project, visit https://parkermsproject.com.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.