Fox Hill project wins planning support; summer building and maintenance work announced

The Fox Hill high‑school project received favorable feedback from planning staff and unanimous support from the planning board, and district facilities staff laid out summer maintenance and installation timelines for multiple sites.

Project status: District staff reported that Dore & Whittier (project architect/manager referenced in meeting) has secured positive responses from planning and conservation boards. “There was a vote at planning… it was unanimous,” a staff member said. The district said it expects firm pricing by August so the project can be presented at town meeting and that the select board would decide any special election date for a debt‑exclusion vote.

Summer maintenance and capital work: Facilities staff presented a multi‑school list of summer projects and lead times, noting four‑to‑six week material lead times on several items. Highlights included ordering athletic scoreboards for the high school (interior and exterior units), a network refresh across schools, auditorium and restroom renovations at the middle school, door and boiler work at Pine Glen, sidewalk pad replacements at Memorial, classroom floor work at Francis Wyman, and gym office renovations at Fox Hill. Facilities staff emphasized coordination with custodial and clerical teams for summer installations.

Why it matters: The Fox Hill project’s planning approvals are significant milestones in the feasibility/design process and affect timing for town meeting and any subsequent debt exclusion ballot. The summer capital work affects building readiness and technology infrastructure ahead of the school year.

Next steps: Staff will continue coordination with the architect, bring updated cost estimates in July and provide procurement and installation timelines for ordered equipment.