Pentucket Uses Water Main Break to Press for New School

Pentucket Regional High School.

Classes and administrative offices reopened Thursday at Pentucket Regional High School, West Newbury.

Restoration of water service to school following a water main break at a connection from under route 113 was completed before classes could resume Wednesday. Earlier this week, the water main ruptured and delayed the return of students following snow removal efforts from the latest major storm on Monday.

“The water main that broke is the same vintage water line that broke under the high school last April and also seven years ago. The school district is seeking a permanent solution and a complete water main replacement,” Pentucket Regional Superintendent of Schools Jeff Mulqueen said.

The water main incident reportedly sparked new talk of the Pentucket Regional school district seeking  “to address the growing concerns about the obsolete infrastructure and other substantial facility deficiencies at PRHS,” according to Muqueen. A Statement of interest for possible submission to the Massachusetts School Building Authority is reportedly in development.