Board approves FY27 capital budget, certifies Central Middle School plans and authorizes HVAC interim funding

The Greenwich Board of Education on Monday approved multiple capital and facilities items: the FY 2027 capital budget, final-plan certification for the Central Middle School (CMS) project phase 3 FF&E and technology packages, and an interim appropriation request for Hamilton Avenue School HVAC work.

Capital budget: The board moved and passed the FY27 capital budget in the amount of $17,823,000. The motion carried unanimously (6–0 at the vote taken; one member was not online at the roll call). The board described the FY27 package as modest relative to future years and noted the GHS pool project has been pushed to FY28.

Riverside School: Multiple public speakers asked the board to prioritize Riverside School’s major renovation. Alyssa Langel, a Riverside PTA board member, asked the board to hold a $43,000,000 placeholder for the Riverside project in FY28 and urged prompt appointment of a building committee and municipal improvement status work. Frances Nove (PTA facilities committee) urged that Riverside “must also stay in FY '28. Please don't bump Riverside School to make room for other projects.” The superintendent said that a Riverside Building Committee request had been submitted and that town approvals remain a necessary step.

Central Middle School plan certification: The board unanimously authorized (6–0) certification of final plans, the project manual and the professional cost estimate for Central Middle School state project number 057-0114N (Phase 3). Project staff said approximately 85% of the furniture and equipment will be procured from state-contracted sources to stabilize pricing and that the building committee had approved the submission to the state. The board also authorized the superintendent and board chair to sign the certification documents.

Hamilton Avenue HVAC interim appropriation: The board approved a motion to request an interim appropriation to fund necessary HVAC work at Hamilton Avenue School and heard from facilities staff that preliminary costs and the 50% construction-design estimate were close to projections. The district said it expects the HVAC work to be complete by fall 2026.

Votes and next steps: All three capital-related actions passed without dissent. The CMS certification will allow the district to bid FF&E and technology packages after state review; Riverside’s timeline remains contingent on town approvals (first selectman and RTM actions) and the district’s work with the town to secure municipal improvement status.

Ending: Board members thanked the budget and facilities committees and noted that future capital years will include more complex items (notably the pool), requiring significant public discussion and outreach.