District budgets $1.5M to replace failing elevators at High School of Science & Technology; timeline may stretch a year

The Springfield Public Schools superintendent told a joint subcommittee meeting on Oct. 16 that the three passenger elevators at the High School of Science & Technology are original to the building and are experiencing repeated failures that the district has been unable to fix with repairs.

"These elevators date back to the early 1950s. 1951 is the figure I'm looking at," said John Kerrigan, the district's elevator consultant, describing the age and condition of the equipment. He said the district has spent about $44,000 on maintenance items for these units over the past three fiscal years but has reached the limits of repairs because key components are obsolete.

Pete Garvey, the district facilities manager, told the committee the district has completed design work and plans to advertise the elevator replacement project for bids by the end of the month, with bids due shortly after Thanksgiving. "It's a $1,500,000 project," Garvey said. He warned that lead times for new elevator equipment are long and that the district may face 6-to-8 month manufacturing and delivery timelines. "I would expect the elevators to be running this time next year," he said.

The consultants described repeated technical failures: controllers overshooting floors, worn door locks and door operators, and a selector mechanism that is obsolete and cannot be sourced from suppliers. Kerrigan said some observed failures are caused by parts that are no longer available, which would force custom manufacturing in some cases.

Because the elevators serve instructional and service areas, committee members pressed officials on access and safety for students and staff. The superintendent said the district has worked with school leaders and food service to reroute deliveries and move classes where necessary. "We have made adjustments and moved classes to the floors where the elevator does operate," the superintendent said. Staff confirmed the district is relying on the sports-complex elevator for assembly spaces such as the cafeteria and gym while the three main cars are out of service.

Committee members asked about students with mobility needs and whether the district would consider transfers. The superintendent said transferring students has not been explored because of capacity limits at other high schools and because moving students is often more disruptive than helpful; instead, the district is adjusting classroom locations and services. The committee and staff also noted the existing emergency procedures: "In a fire, the area of refuge where people with limited mobility have to go to — the fire department knows to go to that spot," one committee member said, describing coordination with first responders.

Garvey described construction logistics and environmental precautions: work will require limited personnel in elevator shafts, roof access to remove equipment, and environmental abatement and will likely require some second-shift and weekend work to keep the building safe. Pending a successful bidding process, Garvey said the district hopes to have a contractor on board by the end of the year and to be working in the shafts during next summer.

The superintendent said the district will communicate the plan and interim procedures to school staff and families. "We wanted to have this meeting first," the superintendent said, announcing that the chief of communications will send information to staff and families. Officials urged patience while the district completes procurement and long-lead manufacturing.

Clarifying details: The district reported $44,000 in elevator maintenance costs over several fiscal years for these cars; Garvey said the replacement is budgeted at approximately $1,500,000 and design is complete. Bids are scheduled to go out by the end of the month with an expected bid-return timeline just after Thanksgiving and a likely 6–8 month equipment lead time before installation. Public-safety procedures (areas of refuge and fire-department rescue plans) remain in place while elevators are out of service.

The district said it will provide further updates to the full school committee and to families as procurement and scheduling advance.