School committee asks city to return Howard School to district to study reopening

The Brockton School Committee voted on Oct. 7 to request that the city return the Howard School property (identified in the meeting as 837 North Main Street) to the school department so the district can study reopening the building as a pre‑K/elementary school.

Facilities Director Ken Thompson described a 2013 non‑destructive study that estimated a renovation at about $5 million then, and said he has asked the original architect to update that estimate to current dollars. "We did do that in 02/2013...they had a budget estimate of approximately $5,000,000 at that time," Thompson said.

Members raised concerns about traffic, parking, the need for environmental testing (asbestos, air quality), the presence or absence of elevators for ADA compliance, and how reopening would affect busing and staffing. "It's plumbing, it's electrical...pretty much almost gutting it," Thompson said when asked about likely work. Several members urged a comparison with other options (including modular buildings or using Shaw School site) and requested updated capacity figures before moving forward.

Claudio Gomes moved to request that the city return the Howard School to the district for study; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote after discussion. Committee members emphasized this vote is a request to regain control of the property and to enable a full, updated feasibility and cost analysis, not an authorization to begin construction.

Next steps identified by members included obtaining updated cost estimates, environmental testing, traffic studies, and a projected capacity figure for pre‑K through grade 5 so the district can weigh renovation against other options.