Northborough School District proposes $75,500 for classroom technology upgrades

The Annual Town Meeting for Northborough, Massachusetts, held on May 5, 2025, focused on significant educational upgrades within the local school district. The primary agenda item was a proposal to appropriate $75,500 for the enhancement of classroom technology in the K-8 Northborough schools.

The motion to fund these upgrades was presented by Becky Pellegrino, who outlined a comprehensive five-year plan aimed at replacing outdated classroom presentation systems. Pellegrino noted that many of the current systems, which are over ten years old, are no longer reliable and vary significantly across classrooms. The existing setups often consist of projectors on rolling carts connected by extension cords, which are not conducive to modern teaching methods.

The proposed plan aims to standardize technology across the district, beginning with the installation of new systems in 25 seventh and eighth-grade classrooms at Milliken Middle School in the first year. Subsequent phases will address other grades and schools, with the goal of introducing more efficient and modern equipment. Pellegrino indicated that the estimated cost for upgrading each classroom is approximately $3,000.

The meeting provided an opportunity for community members to ask questions regarding the proposal, emphasizing the importance of modern instructional tools for teachers and students alike. The funding, to be sourced from free cash, is intended to be available for expenditure in the fiscal year 2025.

Overall, the meeting underscored the town's commitment to improving educational resources and ensuring that students have access to the latest technology in their learning environments. Further discussions and decisions regarding the proposal will follow as the town moves forward with its educational initiatives.