Facilities director reports new door locks, playground work and Shamrock roof bid

Woburn—s facilities director on Sept. 9 summarized summer projects that officials say left school buildings ready for the start of the year.

Lennie Burnham told the school committee his department focused on mechanical maintenance and energy-efficiency upgrades to building control systems. He said the district installed new door locks at four schools and began a district-wide keying system intended to improve security and simplify key management.

The district also completed space reconfigurations to create breakout spaces and meeting areas, and the facilities office implemented a new work-order system for custodial and maintenance staff to track repairs and replacement needs.

Burnham credited the city Department of Public Works for on-site help that reduced costs for paving, stormwater mitigation and other work. He said the Malcolm White playground project is proceeding with city partnership and that the Shamrock roof project is scheduled to go out to bid this week with expected construction next spring.

Committee members thanked Burnham for the work; member Andrew Lipsett singled out the Malcolm White playground as a long-standing community priority and praised the facilities team for consulting parents and school staff.

Why it matters: Facilities projects directly affect school safety, operations and student experience. Door-lock upgrades and a district keying system are tangible security improvements; playground and roof projects address deferred maintenance.

What's next: Burnham said the district will continue energy-efficiency work in partnership with the city and monitor bidding and timelines for the Shamrock roof and other capital projects.