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PPBC outlines bid schedule for theater sound and lighting upgrades; manager position funding remains unresolved
Summary
The committee received a schedule for Pollard/Newman theater sound and lighting upgrades and approved a Hu Schott invoice; staff said a theater manager position to operate upgraded systems was removed from the FY26 budget and may be proposed later.
The Permanent Public Building Committee reviewed the schedule for planned sound and lighting upgrades in Needham’s school auditoria and approved an invoice for consultant design work.
Hank (project staff) said design documents for the Newman sound and lighting upgrades are nearly complete and staff expect to go out to bid in March with a goal of presenting funding at May town meeting. Installation would occur summer 2026 after equipment procurement by the contractor, and some work could extend into the early fall. Hank said the schedule attempts to give a winning bidder time to purchase equipment and prepare for a summer 2026 installation window.
Leanne (school/district staff) described a long-term plan to hire a single auditorium manager to coordinate scheduling and specialized technical support across the Newman and Pollard auditoria and the town auditorium; she said the position would also manage outside contractor support. Leanne said the position was not retained in the proposed FY26 budget; staff hope to add it later — possibly via a special town meeting or as part of the FY27 budget process.
The committee approved an invoice from Hu Schott for January 2025 services in the amount of $12,000 out of the designer budget. The motion passed by roll-call vote with recorded ayes.
Why it matters: upgrades to school auditoria will affect school performing-arts programs and community groups that use the spaces; the absence of a funded manager position means the town will rely on principals, IT staff and outside contractors to support equipment until a dedicated manager is funded.
Staff said they are coordinating with school theater groups and the town IT department to provide interim technical support, and they expect to return with construction and staffing updates as bids and funding decisions progress.
