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Westborough superintendent flags $6.3M high‑school roof and Hastings parking as capital priorities
Summary
Superintendent told the school committee the A/B sections of the high‑school roof need replacement at an estimated $6.3 million, and Hastings Elementary faces ongoing parking, egress and playground issues that may require re‑engineering and coordination with town projects and the MSBA Accelerated Repair Program.
Superintendent Allison told the Westborough School Committee on Sept. 24 that two capital projects are likely to require near‑term attention: replacement of the A and B sections of the high‑school roof and long‑term solutions for Hastings Elementary's parking and playground.
The roof assessment showed "poor condition throughout the roof," with "failed seams, bubbling of the membrane, penetration and punctures," Allison said, concluding "this is a roof that will need to be replaced" and that the replacement estimate is "over $6,000,000. So $6,300,000 or so." She said the C section is in fair condition and might be eligible for restoration rather than replacement.
Allison said the district is evaluating the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Accelerated Repair Program, which would require town authorization to fund the project up front and could yield roughly a 50% reimbursement based on last‑year rates. The MSBA accelerated window opens in January 2027; to be eligible the town would need authorization in hand before that submission window.
On Hastings Elementary, Allison described a "perfect storm" of insufficient parking capacity, limited signage and poor sight lines caused by single egress that produces long queues and safety concerns for small children. Immediate mitigation already taken includes speed bumps, enhanced signage and refined pickup procedures. Longer‑term options may require re‑engineering, use of an adjacent municipal parcel to create another egress, and bundling work with a town Main Street/Veil‑street project to gain efficiencies.
The superintendent also noted the Hastings playground is deteriorating and suggested bundling playground replacement with parking re‑engineering as a single package to reduce cost and disruption. No formal capital appropriation vote was taken; the superintendent said the district will present the projects to the town's capital expenditures planning committee and consider asking to place an article on the warrant for annual town meeting.
Why it matters: A $6.3 million roof replacement would be one of the district's largest near‑term capital asks and could affect town borrowing and bonding plans. MSBA partial reimbursement is possible but requires town authorization to pay upfront and a timely application in 2027.
Next steps: The administration plans a November presentation on long‑term capital planning and will continue coordinating with the town.
