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Somersworth board approves up to $353,000 in year‑end spending for HVAC replacement and classroom technology
Summary
The Somersworth School Board voted to authorize up to $353,000 in end‑of‑year funds to replace a failing rooftop HVAC unit at Maplewood Library and to begin a multi‑phase technology rollout including one‑to‑one devices at the high school and software to support i‑Ready assessments.
The Somersworth School Board on Tuesday authorized the district to spend up to $353,000 from its 2024–25 end‑of‑year fund balance to replace a rooftop HVAC unit at Maplewood Library and to begin a second phase of a district technology rollout.
The spending authorization covers as much as $75,000 for replacement of the Maplewood Library rooftop HVAC unit and an estimated $278,000 for phase‑2 technology work — devices, software and classroom teaching‑and‑learning upgrades, Superintendent John (Superintendent) told the board.
Board leaders said the technology funds would be used to help deploy a new diagnostic assessment platform and to begin moving the high school toward a one‑to‑one device model. Assistant Superintendent Krasner said the district selected i‑Ready as its diagnostic platform and intends to roll it out next school year with professional development for staff.
“This is our long‑term strategy, so let’s do it and the technology will catch up,” Krasner said about the district’s plan to pair devices and software with professional learning.
Business Administrator Katie (Business administrator) and the district’s technology committee provided a prioritized list of hardware and licensing needs; administrators told the board that the full phase‑2 program likely will cost substantially more than the $278,000 slice requested tonight, but that the approved amount would allow the district to take a substantial first step.
Board members said they understood the limitation that these are 2024–25 funds and cannot be used to fill recurring budget gaps next year. The superintendent said $200,000 of the anticipated unanticipated revenue was already designated to offset next year’s budget and that the remainder must be encumbered and spent by June 30 or returned to the city.
Students and community members who attended the meeting spoke in favor of expanded device access and asked about take‑home chargers, repair plans and accessibility for students with vision or other needs. Assistant Superintendent Krasner said chargers would be provided and that details on care, security and replacement plans are being finalized.
The motion to authorize the district to spend not to exceed $353,000, covering both the HVAC replacement and technology phase‑2 work, passed on a voice vote.
The board directed administrators to return with a more detailed phase‑2 budget and a public summary showing how the money would be allocated across devices, software, licensing and classroom supports.
