Elementary schools in North Adams may be crowded, though that isn't enough for the state to green light the construction of two schools for the city. As our Brandon Walker reports, the state's decision to approve one project trumps an earlier decision by the city to build two.

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- It's back to the drawing board for a project North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright says needs to happen and soon.

"We have an overcrowding situation at one of our elementary schools and we need to find a way to dispense some of that," Alcombright said.

Dispensing that, they thought, would get done by building or renovating two schools.

The city's school building committee voted unanimously for that option, though now the state says it will only approve one, a decision Alcombright says was not motivated by money.

"I think what they didn't want to do is set a precedent," Alcombright said. “Basically communities are coming in. They're asking for a school. Or they're asking for a project and to say to North Adams you can have two buildings, two separate projects, I think would probably set a precedent that they really don't want to do at this point in time."

This time around, options include one school that would house 620 students or one that would accommodate half that number.

Last summer's decision favored keeping school size at 310, but Alcombright says those interests will have to take a back seat.

"It has to be in a sense somewhat secondary to what facility can best provide the most quality educational experience," he said.

With those options on the table, the next step is to solicit parents' and other members of the community's response.

A public meeting will be held next Thursday at 6:30 pm at Drury High School. Another will be held the following week.