HAVERHILL — Once again, the city needs to figure out to do with the old Bartlett School at 555 Washington St.
Built in 1907 and named for Albert Bartlett, a former mayor, state representative and school superintendent, the stately, two-story edifice that sits atop a hill served as a public school for many years. Then, in 2002, the School Committee closed it due to financial problems.
Hill View Montessori Charter School began leasing the building in August 2004 for roughly $100,000 a year. That will soon change, however, because Hill View recently purchased a building in the Ward Hill Business Park for $2.7 million that provides 50,000 square feet for the popular charter school.
With 272 students attending classes primarily at Bartlett but also at Temple Emanu-El and Little Sprouts School on West Lowell Avenue, Hill View needed more space.
Janet Begin, executive director of Hill View, announced the purchase only last week. She told The Eagle-Tribune she expects the school will move to its new quarters in February.
Mayor James Fiorentini said he plans to meet with Begin soon to get a better idea of how much longer Hill View will be leasing Bartlett. The School Committee turned the building over to the city a few years ago after voting to close Bartlett.
Fiorentini said after talking with Hill View's leaders, he will ask the School Department if it has any need for the building. If the schools aren't interested, he said, the building will likely "go on the market."
A few weeks ago, John Cuneo, executive director of Community Action, the city's principal provider of services to lower-income folks, asked the City Council to help his agency find more space.
In 2004, Community Action acquired the former Fox School on Elm Street and transformed it into a Head Start center. During his appearance before the City Council, Cuneo said he'd like to be able to duplicate that feat.
Asked if the city might consider selling Bartlett School to Community Action, Fiorentini said, "We'll keep them in mind."
The school's neighbors say they are concerned about the future of the building, which commands an expansive view of the area. One must climb three concrete staircases to get from Washington Street to the front entrance.
Natividad Gutierrez, of 10 Westford St., which runs along the side of the Bartlett site, said she has "no problem" if the city sells the property and someone turns it into housing.
She would object to a nightclub, however, she added.
Robert Kiernan, of 7 Day St., located very close to the school, predicted the building will end up being sold and transformed into apartments or condominiums.
"What can you do?" he said.
Both Gutierrez and Kiernan said Hill View has been a good neighbor, although its expanding enrollment has caused some parking challenges in the neighborhood.
During the last several years, Haverhill has seen a decline in the number of neighborhood schools. In 1994, the city operated 22 public schools. Now that number is down to 15.
Besides Bartlett and Fox, Smiley, Knipe, Cogswell and Wood schools no longer serve elementary students. The former Knipe School at 97 Oxford Ave. in Ward Hill is now Bradford Christian Academy.
Smiley School on Main Street by Interstate 495 became home to the school department computer center and curriculum team, but is now closed. Cogswell School at 351 South Main St. in Bradford houses the Discovery Club, READ First program and the special projects coordinator. And Wood School at 225 South Spring St. in Bradford is where the Haverhill Recreation Department's day care center and after-school programs are located.
Back in the 1980s, the old Peabody and School Street elementary schools were sold to developers, who converted them into housing.
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