No Bleachers For New Marblehead Elementary School Hoop Court

MARBLEHEAD, MA — The School Building Committee voted last month not to expand the floor plan Bell/Coffin/Gerry School's gym to include bleachers. Expanding the floor plan would have added $150,000 to $250,000 to the project's $40 million estimated cost. When completed, the elementary school will serve up to 450 students.

According to Wicked Local Marblehead, which first reported this story, some members worried that not including the bleachers would not be in line with a promise to the community that the new school would be a space for the entire community. Interim Superintendent William McAlduff reminded the committee that the budget for the project is already tight. "It doesn't add community value," he said of the bleachers.