BMR School Committee Votes to Keep Students Out of Millville Elementary for 2025–26

Unanimous vote follows public concern over water system readiness, safety, and long-term cost

At its May 13 meeting, the Blackstone-Millville Regional (BMR) School Committee voted unanimously NOT to return students to Millville Elementary School (MES) for the 2025–2026 school year. The motion included two key conditions:

• Confirmation from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) that Millville will not face a financial penalty—potentially up to $850,000—if the school building remains unused.
• At least 180 days of water testing results from the new treatment system before any reconsideration.

Community Urges Caution on Water, Costs, and Readiness

Residents, parents, grandparents, and MES staff showed up to speak at the school committee meeting. Many expressed discomfort with the idea of young students returning to a building where the water system is still being tested.

Concerns centered on the use of water for handwashing, cooking, and cleaning, even while bottled water is provided for drinking. Several speakers questioned whether it’s fiscally responsible to move students back and forth before the system is fully proven safe and effective.

“If water is the issue, then let’s fix that first—before we go back,” one resident said, summarizing the shared sentiment.

Millville Officials Detail Water Project Timeline

Representatives from the Town of Millville, including Town Administrator Peter Caruso, Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jennifer Gill, and engineers from McClure Engineering, presented the latest updates on the MES water project.

Gill also read a letter aloud from Mary Jude Pigsley, Director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office, to reinforce the agency’s position.

Highlights included:

• 1 million state grant is in place and available through 2030
• The town is conducting a 12-month pilot study required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
• Permits are pending, and equipment installation could begin as early as June of this year, pending state approval
• All components of the system are NSF-certified (National Sanitation Foundation), meaning they meet safety standards for water quality used in schools and public facilities

What Is NSF Certification?

NSF International is an independent organization that develops public health standards. If a product is NSF-certified, it means it has been tested and meets strict safety and quality requirements for use with drinking water systems.

DEP: Bottled Water Use is Sufficient for Now

In a letter read during the meeting, Mary Jude Pigsley, Director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office, reaffirmed the agency’s position on Millville Elementary’s water use:

• MassDEP regulations do not prohibit the school from operating while bottled water is in use.
• Bottled water is only required for drinking.
• There is no exposure to the water that exceeds Massachusetts standards as long as bottled water is provided.

School Committee Holds Off—With Conditions

The School Committee voted unanimously not to return students to Millville Elementary School for the 2025–2026 school year. The decision included two contingencies:

• Confirmation from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) that there will be no financial penalty or reimbursement (“clawback”) for not using the building.
• At least 180 days of water testing results from the new treatment system.

Committee members emphasized that students are doing well in their current placements and requested continued updates from Millville as the water system project advances.

“Let’s Refocus on Education”

One resident reminded the committee that their core mission is to ensure students can learn in a safe, supportive environment:

“We’ve spent so much time talking about water—we need to get back to educating students. Let’s create a safe space, and let teachers do their jobs.”

That perspective seemed to resonate across the room. While there was appreciation for Millville’s ongoing work to address the water issue, both community members and the committee agreed: students should return only when the building is fully ready.

With just weeks left in the school year, the focus now shifts to finishing strong — and ensuring that any future transition prioritizes safety, stability, and student learning.

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Watch the BMR School Committee below:

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📌 Stay with Small Town Post for continuing updates on town and school news in Blackstone and Millville. For more background on the MES water project, read our article on the $1 million grant to upgrade the school’s water system here.