Westwood reports steady third‑quarter spending, readies high school roof and solar canopy work

At the May 8 meeting Westwood school finance staff reported that the district’s operating budget is tracking close to expectations at the end of the third quarter, and described a busy capital summer schedule that includes a high‑school roof restoration and a solar canopy project.

The finance update said the operating budget was about 66.7% committed at the end of the third quarter. Areas of pressure included substitutes and contracted services. Student‑services contracted accounts were reported about $280,000 over budget; $73,000 of that was identified as transportation services not previously anticipated. Staff said a portion of encumbrances are routinely released at year‑end and estimated net over‑spend could fall to roughly $100,000–$110,000 once releases occur. Facilities contracted services were over budget by about $360,000, driven by escalated maintenance and subscription contracts, staff said.

Finance staff reviewed capital activity: procurement and purchase orders are being established for summer work, including a high‑school roof restoration project approved at town meeting with an engineering estimate “over $2,000,000.” Staff said solar panels on the high‑school roof will be removed to enable work, possibly within two weeks, and that a modular roof replacement at Thurston and an electrical‑panel upgrade (Sheehan) are also slated for summer work. The district engaged an on‑call owner’s project manager (OPM) firm, Skanska, to help manage coordination. Staff said an on‑site field supervisor will be present during construction to coordinate high‑school canopy and roof work and minimize campus impacts.

The district is also advancing a solar canopy project; staff reported weekly project development meetings and said the town and district are coordinating schedules. Other scheduled summer projects include smaller building repairs and a planned dishwasher installation at the high school intended to reduce custodial waste and carbon impact.

Committee members asked about traffic and recreational access during construction; staff said they had met with the recreation department and were planning deliveries and heavy work outside peak activity hours. Members also discussed contingency steps if a capital article fails at town meeting; staff said the work is urgent because aging solar‑panel infrastructure has become difficult to service and lacking replacement parts.

No formal vote was taken; staff will continue procurement and coordination with Skanska and the town and will brief the community on campus impacts prior to work.