The Chilmark select board denied a request by the Chilmark Preschool for a conditional approval to “break ground” on a new school while it finalizes its plans.

During town meeting in 2023, voters approved the construction of a new preschool, and in January 2024 the town voted to build the school on town-owned land. The select board approved the building plans last summer, giving the preschool the greenlight to begin the approval processes with other boards. 

At last week’s select board meeting, however, the board was unanimous in saying the school needed to secure all the necessary approvals before any work is done.

“I really want this to happen, and I really want a preschool, but I just feel like there’s been a lot that hasn’t been forthcoming,” select board vice chair Marie Larsen said. “There’s things that are twisted and turned. While I really want a preschool, my main job here is to protect the town.” 

The proposed new building will be approximately 2,600 square feet and located across from the elementary school on the opposite side of the existing playground. It will include two classrooms, two bathrooms, rooms for faculty and a foyer. 

South Mountain Company was recently selected as the general contractor for the project.

Rebekah Thomson, president of the preschool board of directors, told the select board that finished plans would be presented in the coming months to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, the conservation commission, zoning board of appeals, board of health and the building inspector.

Select board members said the project would not be able to move forward until those approvals were met.

“I have concerns about digging up ground before you get the approvals necessary to dig up ground,” select board chair James Malkin said. 

The preschool’s various boards — fundraising, building and board of directors — said they would continue working together on the project and keep the town informed. 

“We’ll plan on coming back once we have [the approvals] and noting any substantial changes that any of those relevant boards may have,” preschool architect Josh Gothard said. 

The preschool is also working with the town to modify their 30-year lease, according to Ms. Thomson. Plans are for the school to be finished and operational for the fall 2026 semester. Until then, the lease for the preschool that is currently on the Chilmark School’s campus has been extended for one more school year. 

“We are continuing to work with the Up-Island Regional School District Committee on a legal agreement which sufficiently addresses their interests,” she said.