East Bridgewater

Central Elementary School

Building Project

Project Updates

February 13, 2026 Update

The site of the new Central Elementary School, located off Route 18/Bedford Street, will begin to see visible activity in the coming months as the project moves into the early stages of construction preparation.

Starting on Tuesday, February 17, the Construction Manager, Gilbane, will install an 8-foot-tall chain link fence with privacy scrim around the perimeter of the project site. This fencing is an important safety measure and will clearly define the construction limits while protecting the public and preventing unauthorized access.

Following the installation of the fence, site preparation activities will continue with the placement of “pre-load” fill beginning in March for about a 6-8 week duration. Pre-loading is a standard geotechnical process used to improve soil conditions and ensure a stable foundation for the future school building. The fill material will be temporarily stockpiled and graded across portions of the site, where its weight will compress and strengthen the underlying soils over time. This pre-load fill will remain in place for approximately 6-9 months based on the settlement monitoring.

Towards the end of 2026, the pre-load material will be removed. Immediately following its removal, excavation work will begin for the building foundations. This marks a major milestone, as it represents the transition from site preparation into the vertical construction phase of the new school.

In parallel with these site activities, the School Building Committee will continue to meet regularly to oversee the project’s progress. Upcoming meetings will be held on Tuesday, February 24; Tuesday, March 10; and Tuesday, March 24. All meetings will take place in the Library at the Jr./Sr. High School and will begin at 5:00 PM. These meetings are open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and stay informed about the project.

Additional updates will be provided as the project advances and more visible construction activities begin.

January 26, 2026 Update

We’re excited to share a project update as we continue to move forward with the Central Elementary School project. Over the next several months, the team will be focused on continuing to refine the design by coordinating with teachers and faculty to confirm educational priorities, reviewing floor plans and room layouts, while preparing design submissions to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and for future presentations and community updates to the public. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it plays a major role in making sure the project stays aligned with the District’s needs, budget, and schedule.

As the project progresses, the Construction Manager (CM), Gilbane, will be an essential partner throughout the process starting with an early release package. A Construction Manager is responsible for overseeing key elements of planning and design, construction, managing schedule, cost, quality, and risk. Their role includes developing and tracking schedules, providing cost estimates and budget support, identifying risks early and helping solve issues proactively, coordinating and managing subcontractors, and prioritizing safety and site logistics.

Currently, the project is in the Design Development (DD) phase. This is when the design becomes more detailed and specific, building off the preliminary concepts and turning them into more defined plans. During Design Development, the team will continue to finalize layouts and key building features, confirm building systems such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, and refine learning spaces to best support students and staff. Site planning will also continue, including parking, traffic flow, playground areas, and the community fields, while updated cost estimates are developed as the design becomes more complete. This phase is an important milestone because it sets the foundation for the final construction documents.

Community engagement will continue to be a central part of the process. The project team is committed to keeping families, staff, and residents informed and involved through public outreach opportunities. This will include a community forum where updates will be shared and questions can be asked directly, along with ongoing presentations at public meetings and regular project communications through monthly newsletters and District updates. We encourage everyone to stay connected and participate whenever possible as your feedback plays an important role in shaping the future of Central Elementary School.

The latest renderings for the East Bridgewater project can be seen below. This is the design that was submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority on August 28, 2025.

Watch these mini video’s about the existing school

Episode 1 – Gym

Episode 2 – Accessibility

Episode 3 – Classroom Challenges

Episode 4 – Hallway Difficulties

Episode 5 – Temporary Modules

Episode 6 – Arts & Crafts Room

Episode 7 – Cafeteria Problems

Episode 8 – Server Room Mess

Episode 9 – Nurses Room

Episode 10 – 3rd Floor Ventilation

Episode 11 – Bathrooms

Project Timeline and Status

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November 15, 2025

Town of East Bridgewater approves the Project

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August 28, 2025

East Bridgewater Submits the Schematic Design to the MSBA

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JUNE 18, 2025

MSBA Approves East Bridgewater to move into Schematic Design

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May 1, 2025

East Bridgewater Submits the Preferred Schematic Report to the MSBA

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January 9, 2025

East Bridgewater Preliminary Design Program to the MSBA

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September 23, 2024

East Bridgewater Enlists Raymond Design Associates as their Designer

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May 2, 2024

East Bridgewater Enlists LeftField , LLC as their Owner’s Project Manager (OPM)

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February 28, 2024

MSBA invites East Bridgewater to the Feasibility Study for Central Elementary School

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December 22, 2022

MSBA Invites East Bridgewater to the Eligibility Period for an MSBA Project for Central Elementary School

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April 2, 2022

East Bridgewater Submitts a Statement of Interest to the MSBA for the Central Elementary School project

Shortcuts

MSBA WEBSITE

Click here for more information about funding and protocols of capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Click here for a reference guide to clarify context and meaning to common terms used in the building process for public projects

PROJECT UPDATES

Module 6 – Detailed Design

The District and its team continue to advance the project and the MSBA continues to monitor the project to ensure it remains on track and meets the expectation of both the District and the MSBA as defined in the Project Funding Agreement. In general terms, the MSBA ensures that the project team works within the requirements contained in the MSBA’s Base Contracts and Base Contract Amendments for Owner’s Project Managers (OPM) and Designer Services. Additionally, the MSBA assigns a Commissioning Consultant to the project who facilitates an intensive quality assurance process and ensures that the new or renovated building operates efficiently and as the owner intended. Specifically, the District and its team generate construction documents which are reviewed by the MSBA in accordance with the requirements prescribed in the above-mentioned contracts.