PLYMOUTH - May 4, 2026 - The Plymouth School Committee has reached a critical milestone in its future infrastructure plans, selecting an Owner’s Project Manager for an upcoming Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) project for the Hedge Elementary School. The significant step forward was announced during a meeting that also highlighted major facility upgrades at local elementary schools, including a brand-new community playground, and served as the emotional final meeting for 15-year committee veteran Robert Morgan.
The Full Story
During the Superintendent’s Update, Dr. Chris Campbell announced that the MSBA review panel formally selected CHA Consulting to serve as the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) for the Hedge Elementary project [01:34:37]. Pending final approval from the MSBA, this crucial hire will officially launch the district into the feasibility and schematic design phase for its next major school building project [01:35:36].
The momentum for facility improvements extended into the district’s annual elementary school improvement presentations. Nathaniel Morton Elementary Principal Kristine Chase unveiled a massive new community playground, entirely funded through a partnership with the Plymouth Growth and Development Corporation (PGDC) and Park Plymouth [58:39]. The century-old building also received crucial infrastructure updates, including the installation of mini-split cooling stations in the cafeteria to combat extreme heat, and new security cameras monitoring all exterior doors [56:30].
Academically, Nathaniel Morton is seeing strong results, with state accountability data showing students “exceeding typical growth” in both Math and English Language Arts (ELA) [01:01:47]. The school is also actively addressing a performance dip in fourth-grade math through targeted interventions and specialized coaching [01:04:10]. Next year, the building will expand its special education offerings by hosting a new “Strive” inclusion program for the town’s North Side [52:50]. To address everyday student needs, the school established a “Snack Shack” to provide free snacks to students, supported by local apartment complex management and community donations [54:37].
