Committee hears progress, remaining gaps in facility conditions; CBIZ audit nearing rollout

Methuen officials reported visible improvements in building readiness for opening day on Wednesday, Aug. 28, but members emphasized the need for sustained staffing and a clear long-term corrective plan after months of critical health inspection findings. Several members, including Member Lehi Willette and Mayor Borregard, described walk-throughs this week that found marked progress at Timoney and Tenney schools. "The Tenney, for instance, 6 weeks ago, was in dire straits. Today, it was stunning to see the state of the school as they prepare for opening day," one member said. At the same time, participants reiterated that inspection reports earlier in the year had categorized several facilities as deficient and that prior local health inspection records had been inconsistent with field reports. Member Armand DeZaglio said earlier health inspection reports had sometimes been reported as "perfect" even as staff later documented pest and sanitary issues. The city-hired consultant CBIZ presented the audit benchmark to the committee and agreed to run the same survey next year at no charge, giving the district a measurable baseline and a repeated-data comparison to track progress. Members asked CBIZ for a revised narrative that provides clearer, actionable recommendations (the first draft was deemed too "consultant-y"). CBIZ will return with that recalibrated report and the district plans a joint city council/school committee rollout so both municipal bodies can review results together. Members also discussed operational steps to improve sustainability: implementing electronic leave tracking for custodial shifts to reduce staffing surprises, use of retired custodians and approved overtime, and adding positions where feasible. Several members said the district and city will need dedicated funding to address long-standing infrastructure and staffing deficits.