News

MSBA votes unanimously in favor of advancing Parker Middle School along in construction process

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (July 15, 2026) – The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors voted unanimously on Wednesday, June 24, to invite the Town of Chelmsford into the preferred schematic design phase of the school building project process.

MSBA board member Terry Kwan congratulated Chelmsford and three other districts for creating “some very innovative, as well as detailed and aspirational educational programs.”

“We’re very appreciative of the board’s consideration of the Parker Middle School Building Project advancing into schematic design,” said Chelmsford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jay Lang. “This is an important milestone for our community and one that reflects a great deal of thoughtful work, analysis, collaboration and public engagement.

Dr. Lang thanked the MSBA staff for the guidance, structure and partnership they have provided throughout the process so far.

“The MSBA process has helped the district and town ask the right questions, evaluate meaningful alternatives and remain focused on a solution that supports students, staff families and the broader Chelmsford community,” he said.

Schematic design is a crucial step, during which the district’s team develops a comprehensive plan, finalizes the project scope and sets the budget. It is during this phase that a Project Scope and Budget Agreement is prepared to determine the exact financial participation of the MSBA.

“The schematic design phase is where the project goes through an extremely robust design process,” said David Saindon, senior project director with LeftField, LLC, the owner’s project manager for the Parker School Building Project. “Essentially, think of it as we’re turning over all of the stones; we need to find out and identify what all the cost impact and project costs are going to be so we can arrive at a project budget and scope.”

The Town of Chelmsford intends to replace the current Parker Middle School with a new building designed for 1,390 students in grades 4-6.

“This project is much more than a building project for Chelmsford,” Dr. Lang said. “It is a districtwide educational and facilities solution that addresses overcrowding at our elementary level, reduces long-term reliance on modular classrooms, supports more equitable distribution of instructional and support spaces and creates a modern learning environment for our intermediate grade students.”

The proposed site plan locates the new school building along Crooked Spring Road while providing adequate parking, dedicated parent pick-up and drop-off areas, bus circulation lanes, improved traffic flow, athletic fields, courts, playgrounds, open green space, and a natural restoration area surrounding the stream that currently runs beneath the existing Parker School building.

The total cost of the project is $264 million with a construction budget of $211.1 million. The School Building Committee has opted to go with a construction manager at-risk delivery method.

For more information and to stay updated, please visit the Parker Middle School Construction Project website.

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.