School committee votes to temporarily relocate Millville Elementary students amid ongoing water-quality problems

The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee voted July 27 to temporarily move Millville Elementary School students and staff to the John F. Kennedy/AF Maloney complex for the 2023–24 school year as the district and the town work to resolve persistent water-quality problems at the Millville building.

Jason DeFalco, the district superintendent, told the committee he had read a July 11 message to the school community and that "no permits have been filed, no work has been started, nothing has been done" on the school’s corrective-action plan. He said the district has failed recent water tests for disinfectant byproducts, the town’s long-time water operator resigned, and MassDEP has indicated bottled water must be provided if students remain in the building. "The kids have to have clean Safe Drinking Water period," DeFalco said when recommending the temporary move.

The superintendent proposed moving central offices into the Millville building while students occupy the larger complex, saying the complex was designed for about 750 students and could house the district’s enrolled population next year. DeFalco framed the change as temporary and focused on safety: he recommended the shift for one school year to give the town time to complete repairs and establish a track record of safe water quality.

A committee member, identified in the meeting as Dan (representing Blackstone), made the motion to relocate the students; Chuck Dunton seconded it. The committee discussed timing and logistics, noting two target dates referenced in the meeting: an operational deadline from town and school communications of August 14 for some work, and an internal goal cited by town leadership to file necessary applications by August 31. The formal voice vote was taken and the motion carried; the meeting record does not list a roll-call tally by name.

Denise Carrier, the district’s director of finance and operations, presented an initial moving estimate of roughly $35,400 for movers and staging; committee members also noted other likely costs including teacher compensation for packing and potential playground/renovation work at the complex. The committee discussed staged moves beginning in early August and plans to hold parent meetings and staff briefings to explain classroom assignments, arrival and dismissal procedures, and supports for special-education and English-learner students.

Members repeatedly emphasized that the recommendation was not a permanent closure of Millville Elementary. Jennifer Gill, chair of the Millville Board of Selectmen, had apologized earlier in the meeting for the lack of progress and said the town was working to identify a replacement water operator; Gill also said the town’s attorneys advised caution on some payments but indicated the town would comply with MassDEP directives about providing potable water while students are present.

Next steps listed by the committee included finalizing move logistics, confirming funding for moving and compensatory costs, scheduling parent information sessions, and coordinating with the town on permits and the corrective-action plan. The committee set follow-up steps and assigned staff to implement the move plan so operations can begin in mid-to-late August if needed.