Committee creates facilities project manager role and approves tennis court funding transfers

The Barnstable School Committee voted unanimously to approve a new School Facilities Project Manager job description and to establish the position, with funding identified from the school building rental revolving account.

Superintendent Sarah said the role is intended to build internal capacity so facilities leaders can focus more on long‑term strategy while the project manager coordinates capital projects, procurement, engineers and contractors. She told the committee the town already employs project managers for major town capital work and that the role would complement the facilities director and deputy director.

Finance director Chris (first name only in the record) reviewed fiscal options for the position and recommended funding the post from the school building rental revolving fund rather than the operating budget. The committee discussed the revolving account balance and asked staff to monitor the fund to keep the position sustainable.

On capital work, the committee approved a set of transfers to cover a higher-than-expected low bid on the Barnstable High School tennis court replacement project. The committee voted to recommend transfers to town council totaling $587,527 drawn from three prior town council orders: $118,225 (Order 2019‑093), $127,724 (Order 2021‑086) and $341,578 (Order 2023‑118). The transfers were moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

Facilities director Doug reviewed recent and upcoming projects: portable classroom completion, generator installations, district lighting upgrades, the BIS HVAC award and design work for a BCIS elevator, plus a planned phase for playground safety surfacing and a district PA system design. He said the old portable office trailers will be demolished as soon as utility disconnects are completed.

The committee approved the job description and position and voted to forward the tennis-court transfer recommendations to town council.