New Bedford School Committee to Review Hannigan School Plans

Plans for the new John Hannigan Elementary School in New Bedford's South End will go before the School Committee Thursday night.

The original Hannigan School's roof collapsed in 2006.

School Committee member Bruce Oliveira is also on the Building Committee for the project. Oliveira tells WBSM News a renovation of the original building would not meet the standards of the Massachusetts School Building Authority. "The school doesn't lend itself to the expansion that the MSBA requires, that the school be able to hold up to 400 students. Just structurally it doesn't lend itself to being repaired as easily as it may look," said Oliveira.

Oliveira has seen the plans for the new school, and says it meets current standards and blends well with the surrounding neighborhood.

The MSBA has agreed to reimburse the City up to 80% of the project cost upon completion.

The School Committee meets Thursday night at 6pm at Keith Middle School.