Haverhill, MA: District acquires new SPED building
- The end of childhood
- Sep 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Aug 31, 2025, Public Radio, Haverhill, MA: Use of Former Social Security Office Frees Up Classrooms, Provides Special Needs Space
Outside the brick building at 367 Main St. is unchanged but step inside and one will find an inviting new space for the Haverhill School Department’s special needs department.
The school department took over the 5,600 square foot building after the Social Security Administration moved to 62 Brown St. last year. The federal government offered the 1968-era structure to the city at no charge.
Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta said the school department spent $150,000 to bring the building up to code, freshen the walls with new paint, install new carpeting and wireless internet and fire alarm systems.
Additionally, new furniture and fixtures were purchased. Much of the work was done over the summer by the school department’s maintenance staff, Marotta said. Staff are still moving in so there are boxes that have yet to be unpacked.
“This space allows us to move people who are out in the community much of the day anyway from office space in schools so we can free up space there,” Marotta explained, adding that about 20 staffers will be based in the building.
Among those workers is Tara Quinn, coordinator of the system’s Community Preschool Partnership Initiative. Quinn works with Head Start, Marigold Montessori School and the YMCA preschool programs to ensure all students are ready for kindergarten.
The post-graduate Learning for Life program for students 18 to 22 has a bright corner classroom and a one-on-one tutoring program that occupies another space nearby. The pre-school speech and physical therapy program has outfitted its classroom with colorful rugs and toys to make it welcoming. . . .
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