Rochester approves buying land for new elementary school

ROCHESTER — The city's school district has received approval from the City Council to complete the purchase of land to build a new elementary school.

The council's 10-3 vote Tuesday will allow the district to purchase land at 753 Salmon Falls Road and form a joint building committee comprising school and city officials. The land purchase price is $250,000, according to school Superintendent Kyle Repucci.

The land is 40.88 acres, with 12.5 acres being dry, officials have said. The plans call for a 68,000-square-foot building.

The Nancy Loud and School Street schools would close as part of a consolidation of elementary schools in the city. The district also plans to close modular buildings at William Allen School and Chamberlain Street School, according to the city's application to the state Board of Education.

Questions on the school building project: What will it cost and more

There was a lot of discussion during Tuesday night's City Council meeting before the approval vote.

"Has the district considered closing the Nancy Loud school, tearing it down and building the new school there?" Councilor Don Hamman asked.

Repucci said that was considered.

"We looked at it and the footprint of the property is not big enough for what we want to do," Repucci said. "Growing up in town, since I was young we have been talking about getting rid of the modular classrooms. We have five at two schools. It is just not like being in the heart of a classroom in the building."

More Rochester news: City to lose millions when Waste Management landfill closes. What is being done about it.

Councilor Amy Malone said she thinks modular classrooms are not ideal for students and aren't as secure as the main building.

Councilor Tim Fontneau voted to approve the purchase but not until after he expressed concern about the location.

"I have heard a lot of concerns," he said. "That is a very busy road with a lot of traffic. It is near a very sharp corner, and near Tara Estates, where there are traffic concerns with (exiting)."

Noting there is not a lot of road frontage for the site, he asked if there was a possibility of a turning spot, or a second entrance/egress. He said he'd like to see a traffic report.

"Also, God forbid there is a fire, or a shooting, and I can't believe I need to talk about that," Fontneau said. "What if there is an accident at the entrance? We need to consider this for the safety of the students. Is there any option to purchase additional land to make a second entrance?"

Repucci said these are details for the Joint Building Committee to consider.

There are currently eight elementary schools in the city. Repucci said there will be seven if the new school is built.

"Two of our schools are over 100 years old," he said. "And two more are coming up on that 100-year mark."

Councilor Ashley Desrochers asked a question that is on taxpayers' minds. How will the city pay for the project?

The answer is a little over $13.8 million will not be covered by the state, according to current estimates.

Rochester officials learned in November 2022 the city was ranked No. 1 on New Hampshire's list of districts in need of school building aid.

Rochester officials have been keeping watch to see if the expected $20.17 million toward a $33.6 million new school remains in the state budget, which isn't expected to be finalized until June.

"In today's economy, I don't think we'd be able to build the school if that money is not available," Repucci previously said.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester NH approves buying land for new elementary school