Protests at school groundbreaking

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Westfield broke ground Friday for a new school despite a temporary court order to stop construction of the school.

The state is funding most of the $36 million project, which is a good deal for the city, but some residents say it's a bad deal for the neighborhood.

The new school combines the Abner Gibbs and Franklin Avenue Elementary Schools.

A Judge ordered the city to temporarily stop construction this week after neighbors of the new school filed a lawsuit.

Ann Crum showed up to the groundbreaking in protest.

She told 22News, “This school is much to big for this parcel of land, it's going to pose a hazard for traffic and be a danger to the children."

The $36 million dollar school will replace the old Ashley Street School and it will use part of the Cross Street playground.

That’s a move residents believe violates state and federal land conservation law.

Genea Crum told 22News, “My kids played little league there, my husband played little league there my husband has lived in this neighborhood his whole life and to see that park go away is sad for our family."

The city and the school district say it's an opportunity they can't pass up because the state is pitching in more than $23 million towards construction.

Superintendent of Westfield Schools, Dr. Suzanne Scallion, said, “Our need is for a school in the downtown area so this was chosen to be the most viable spot and it received state approval."

Abner Gibbs Principal Maggie Adams told 22News, “This new building is going to open up all kinds of educational opportunities that we have challenges in our building."

The vice president of the Westfield School Committee told 22news they are working with neighbors hoping to reach a compromise.

A hearing regarding the lawsuit is scheduled for September 12th.