The long-awaited Fort River Elementary School project is officially moving forward, with construction set to begin by the end of January. This state-of-the-art facility will replace both Fort River Elementary and Wildwood Elementary, offering an improved learning environment for up to 575 students in grades K-5.

After years of planning, community discussions, and bid reviews, the town of Amherst has finalized a contract with CTA Construction Managers LLC, which was the lowest qualified bidder. Although an initial announcement projected construction would begin by the week of Jan. 13, officials clarified during a Jan. 17 Elementary School Building Committee meeting that work will commence closer to the end of the month.

Once completed, the school is expected to open in the fall of 2026, ushering in a new era of education for Amherst’s elementary students.

A Long-Awaited Upgrade for Amherst’s Schools

The new school has been in development for years, driven by the need to replace outdated facilities that no longer support modern educational needs.

Addressing Aging Infrastructure

Both Fort River and Wildwood were built in the 1970s, featuring an open-classroom design that was considered innovative at the time but is now seen as a hindrance to student learning.

Margo Pedersen ’25, a former intern for the Amherst Regional School District and a senior thesis researcher on family engagement in local schools, shared her thoughts on the project’s significance.

"The Amherst schools are relatively old and out-of-date, and they can be and should be offering high-quality education," Pedersen said. "I think this school is part of that and will definitely be a net positive for the community."

She specifically pointed to the current open-classroom layout, explaining how it negatively affects students' ability to concentrate.

"They have open-design classrooms, where it’s just one room with screen-dividers in the middle to split people up," she explained. "It’s really bad for learning because it’s just really loud and kids can’t focus. This was very state-of-the-art in the ’70s when the schools were built … but now we know that’s not really great for kids."

Enhancing Bilingual Education & Community Resources

The new facility will also play a key role in expanding the Caminantes dual language program, which helps students become bilingual in English and Spanish.

"The district wants to continue to make sure that that’s an important part of the schools," Pedersen said. "Part of the reasoning for the new school is to have more space for that program to continue and hopefully expand."

Beyond its educational benefits, the town emphasized that the project will include enhanced community resources, such as:

• Restored playing fields for student and community use
• Basketball courts open to the public
• New walking trails to promote outdoor activity
• Rain gardens and green spaces for environmental sustainability

A Commitment to Sustainability

The new school will be a net-zero energy facility, meaning it will generate as much energy as it consumes. This will be achieved through:

• Ground source heat pumps for energy-efficient heating and cooling
• Photovoltaic solar panels to provide renewable energy
• High-efficiency insulation and materials to reduce energy waste

The eco-friendly design aligns with the town’s broader commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.

Challenges in the Bidding Process

Although the project is now moving forward, the bidding process was not without complications.

In October 2024, several bid protests were filed with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division, delaying progress for months. Two general contractors and two construction industry organizations argued that CTA Construction Managers LLC was ineligible for the contract.

After a public hearing and investigation, the attorney general’s office denied the bid protests on Dec. 4, clearing the way for the contract to be signed.

Despite these delays, Amherst Special Capital Projects Manager Robert Peirent assured the community that the project remains on track.

"Though no fault of the town and of no fault of CTA, we’ve lost several key months at the beginning of the schedule," Peirent stated. "It is going to be necessary to accelerate some of the work activities during the course of construction, and as a result, there are some additional costs that CTA will be incurring to work overtime."

What’s Next?

With construction now set to begin, town officials and educators are looking forward to the next steps in the process. The initial work will involve:

1. Site Preparation – Clearing the existing Fort River Elementary site
2. Foundation & Structural Work – Laying the groundwork for the new facility
3. Building Construction – Estimated to take 18-24 months
4. Final Touches & Opening – The school is expected to open in fall 2026

Once completed, the new Fort River Elementary School will provide:

✔ Modern learning spaces tailored for student success
✔ Expanded bilingual education opportunities
✔ Improved community resources & recreational facilities
✔ A sustainable, energy-efficient school for future generations

With a strong commitment to education, sustainability, and community engagement, Amherst is poised to deliver a transformative project that will serve families for decades to come.