Beebe School Won't Be Ready Until 2021-22 School Year

MELROSE, MA — The Beebe School isn't expected to be available for Melrose Public Schools until the 2021-22 school year after its current occupant informed the School Committee it will not be able to break its lease.

The School Committee said Friday evening on Twitter it "will move forward in our deliberations with an expected occupancy date for the Beebe of School Year 2021-22." The School Committee had spent the last couple months planning to have the Beebe for the 2020-21 school year.

The city's plan to reclaim the Beebe was contingent on the SEEM Collaborative finding a new home for the final year of its lease. The SEEM received two proposals to move, but apparently was unable to find the right fit.

The SEEM pays $250,000 in rent. Last April's override included money earmarked to replace the lost rent in the event the SEEM moved out. It's not immediately clear what the plans are for that money.

The delay may be a favorable outcome for a School Committee that in December put off an expected vote on what to do with the Beebe after the community expressed displeasure with how the process was taking place.

The delay also assures the incoming superintendent will have a strong say in what happens to the Beebe. Superintendent Cyndy Taymore said she will retire at the end of this school year.