Smithfield school committee wins council approval to solicit architectural bids for high school renovations and CTE upgrades

The Smithfield Town Council voted to authorize the school department to solicit bids for architectural services for the high school Stage 2 renovation and related emergency projects.

Superintendent Dawn Bart presented the request with details: Stage 2 priorities include renovations to high school restrooms, a culinary arts classroom, the little theater, an emergency generator and fire suppression upgrades, partial roof replacement, and elevator renovations at both the high school and middle school. Emergency work includes relocating an intensive special education room to a more central, ADA‑compliant location within the high school library/media center and updating the culinary room to meet Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) certification specifications.

Bart said the culinary room will require a pitched floor with a drain and a sink to meet the minimum RIDE standards for CTE culinary certification. The school has already hired a culinary instructor with the necessary professional credentials, and the department said it expects the renovated culinary facility to support the district’s CTE programming. The superintendent also told the council the district has received funding and approval to add biomedical engineering as a CTE offering next year; that addition would not require construction.

Council discussion on the motion was brief; a motion to authorize the solicitation of architectural services was seconded and approved by voice vote. The school department said the bids will inform project cost estimates and final design work for Stage 2 and emergency projects.