While Governor Maura Healey was in Lowell earlier today to sign a $375-million road and bridge maintenance bill, InsideLowell has learned the Governor’s Office is also considering a plan to use the now closed Ste. Jeanne d’Arc School in Pawtucketville as an emergency shelter for immigrants being relocated to Lowell as part of the Emergency Admittance Program.

Multiple sources tell us the Department of Transitional Assistance has been in contact with the Archdiocese of Boston about the building, which ceased operating as a school in June. They also confirm DTA is hoping to move quickly on the effort though an exact timetable is not yet clear.

When reached for comment, 16th Middlesex State Representative Rodney Elliott told InsideLowell he is opposed to the idea.

“We already provide extensive supportive services in the city, and in particular, in the Pawtucketville neighborhood,” said Elliott, whose District includes the Dracut Street location. “I cannot support this initiative at this time and would prefer the building be used by the city to help with our public school system, which is already strained.”

District 1 Councilor Dan Rourke, who represents the Pawtucketville neighborhood on the City Council, said: “At this time, it is my understanding that the city and the school department are working to bring back our special needs students to Lowell.  The Ste Jeanne d’Arc School is a great location to accomplish this goal. I will continue to support both the city and school department’s intention. We are putting extra burden on our students and their families when they are transported miles away in order to receive the education and services they deserve.  While Lowell has always been a willing partner to assist others in need, we need to concentrate on all of local students to create the best possible learning environment.”

State Senator Ed Kennedy also chimed in, saying “The Archdiocese of Boston has made several surplus properties across the Commonwealth available for transitional assistance. Included in the array of properties is the St. Jeanne D’Arc School. However, what would be involved in making the school building suitable for residential use would be extensive and would require significant resources and time. I believe that the best use of the school property is to support the Lowell School Department’s proposal to operate a school for special needs students who are currently being transported to programs outside of the district at a significant cost to the city.”

Other officials who didn’t want to go on record also tell InsideLowell there are already efforts behind the scenes to stop the plan from being implemented.

Update (4:35pm Saturday, August 5, 2023)

Statement from 17th Middlesex State Representative Vanna Howard: “I think it’s great the Archdiocese of Boston is making several of its properties available, one being the former St. Jeanne D’Arc School, and it is my understanding the Healey-Driscoll Administration is looking at the school to see if the property is feasible for a proposed family emergency shelter for the unhoused. I understand a walk-through will be scheduled in the near future and this is still a preliminary process at this time. We need to do something with the property and the quickest and most cost-effective way to do that is to rehab for the school. I know there are properties in the City that are more suitable for housing.”