Interim facilities director reports buildings ready for opening; district awaiting lead test results from August samples

Mike Macri, the district’s interim facilities director, told the board on Aug. 28 that work across buildings was largely complete ahead of the first day of school: "We're doing very well with maintenance right now. So currently, with our fire alarm systems with the district, we're at 70% complete with each building. Our playgrounds are inspected for 2025... the district is on pace really well with our cleaning schedule. We're 95% with these schools." Macri and others described painting, new trees, repaired parapets, secure vestibules near completion and air conditioning repairs at specified sites.

Lead testing: Macri told the board the district took 165 water‑fixture samples on Aug. 20 and "samples are at the lab and they're being tested. And I should know back any time now, our results from that test and what going forward we would have to do." He said the district has until December to remediate any fixtures that do not meet the state's standard and noted options include replacement or posting signage that the fixture provides nonpotable water until repaired.

Why it matters: physical plant readiness and water safety directly affect whether schools can open on schedule and whether drinking-water fixtures must be taken out of service or repaired. Board members asked timing questions about lab results and possible sources if lead is found; staff noted that if lead is present due to city infrastructure the source may be outside district plumbing.

Other details: Macri said secure vestibule work is approximately 95% complete, with Maple Avenue delayed only by a broken delivery of a large piece of glass that had to be reordered and reshipped. He reported playground inspections and painting progress (15 classrooms at Cataract freshly painted; six at Abbott), and said custodial and grounds crews had completed extensive cleaning, floor stripping and polishing, and garden and tree plantings. Staff also noted ongoing work is planned for fall parapet scans and roofing follow-ups with an outside roofing vendor. The board thanked maintenance, custodial and grounds crews for visible improvements ahead of the school year.