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Fall River council approves $29.8 million loan order to buy former Bishop Connolly High School for early-childhood center
Summary
After extended debate about costs, debt service and alternatives, the city council approved a $29.8 million loan order to purchase the former Bishop Connolly High School to house expanded early-childhood programming and community uses; the finance committee had earlier referred the item to full council.
The Fall River City Council voted on June 9 to approve a $29.8 million loan order to acquire the former Bishop Connolly High School at 373 Ellsbury Street, a purchase city and school leaders described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to centralize early-childhood programs and create community space.
The loan order was presented in the Committee on Finance and later moved to the full council. School officials said the site could house 33 classrooms and serve more than 600 three- to five-year-old students beginning in the upcoming school year, reducing the district's recurring rental and build-out costs. "There is no other building like this that is available," Kevin Almeda, the school district's CFO, said as he outlined program benefits and the district's need to consolidate early-childhood services.
City finance staff provided a debt-service analysis that used conservative assumptions — a 30-year amortization and an illustrative 4.5% interest rate — and described that estimate as a worst-case scenario. Emily Arp, the city's CFO, and the administration said other mitigation options exist, including using free cash, pursuing grants, shortening the amortization or securing alternative funding sources to reduce the city's exposure.
Opponents warned the council not to lose sight of other capital priorities. One councilor questioned whether the city could afford the purchase while still funding roads, fire stations and other infrastructure. Another member said the city should consider a 20-year amortization to lower total interest costs. Supporters countered that retiring debt in the near term creates capacity for the new issue and that the property's conservation areas, fields and auditorium could generate community and revenue opportunities.
Councilors also pressed for written lease and license terms protecting ongoing community uses (for example, the local CYO program), for clarity on the residences on the property and for the drafting of any agreements to return to council for approval. School leaders said they are pursuing grant opportunities and need certainty because current rental arrangements and district leases expire in 2027.
The Committee on Finance voted to refer the loan order to the full council. At full council, the motion to adopt the loan order was made by Councilor Pereira and seconded by Councilor Hart. A roll-call vote recorded seven yes votes, one no and one abstention; the motion carried and the loan order passed.
The council's approval directs city administrators to proceed with steps to acquire the property and prepare the necessary financing. Specific lease/license terms and any shared-maintenance agreements were left to future negotiation and council approval.
