District moves to combine Ashley and Swift Elementary into one school by 2030

What happened

New Bedford is working with the state's MSBA to combine Ashley and Swift Elementary into a single building serving 665 K-5 students plus six pre-K classrooms. Two options are on the table: adding onto and renovating the current Ashley building, or building new on the same site. The district submits its preferred option to the state August 24, 2026, with a state decision expected October 28, 2026, and students moving in by 2030.

Why it matters to families

This is the first binding step toward a new elementary school building; it decides where hundreds of K-5 students in this part of the city go to school, and whether Ashley and Swift as separate buildings stay open.

The evidence

The July 25 and 29, 2026 community meeting presentation describes both design options, states the project serves 665 K-5 students plus six pre-K classrooms, and lists next steps: community outreach through August 10, a preliminary design submission to MSBA August 24, MSBA approval expected October 28, 2026, and occupancy anticipated in 2030. The August 10, 2026 regular meeting agenda includes a vote authorizing grade-structure and school-assignment changes tied to the project.

The source