MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett School Committee had its first look at a study about potentially consolidate schools as the town considers its space needs. 

Town Administrator Mike Lorenco visited the Feb. 28 Mattapoisett School Committee meeting to present information about this study, which is underway.

“School consolidation has been discussed for a long time,” Lorenco explained. “Enrollment is down, and we’re one of the only places in the region that has the separation of grades K-3 and 3-6.” 

Those schools are the Center School, which houses students K-3, and Old Hammondtown School, which is attended by students in grades 4-6. 

The University of Massachusetts Collins School for Public Management reached out to Lorenco about doing a study on issues the town may be facing. The select board decided that one issue could be the possibility of school consolidation.

This study will be funded by a grant. 

ORR School Committee member Jim Muse emphasized that the committee was very interested in knowing any information about the study as the work progresses. 

The study is always advisory, he said. “The study is being done to give us information and will not determine how things are done.’’

Any decision to consolidate schools would not be done quickly and would require resident input, Lorenco said.

“It would likely go to a town meeting, it wouldn’t be something that just happened in haste,” said Lorenco, who added that the decision on whether to consolidate would not be based solely on the study’s reports. “It would be a lengthy process.” 

Last summer, Lorenco gave those working on the study a tour of the school facilities with Superintendent of Schools Michael Nelson. 

“My understanding is that as the study continues there will be opportunity for the community and stakeholders to give their input,” said Nelson. 

Lorenco noted that even though this is an independent study, “that does not mean that the school committee won’t be involved.” 

Muse informed the committee that Lorenco would be the person to provide information to them as the study progresses. 

According to Lorenco, a staff member from the University of Massachusetts Collins School intends to attend an upcoming Master Planning Committee meeting to talk about “if space opened up, what it would be used for.” They will also do an assessment of finances. 

“The goal of this was just to have an independent study of what they see from the outside looking in,” said Lorenco.