Algonquin Regional High School capital plan proposes recurring maintenance and equipment funding; athletic bond to end FY27

Algonquin Regional School District officials briefed the Town of Southborough Capital Improvement and Planning Committee on a draft FY27 capital plan for Algonquin Regional High School on Oct. 20, 2025, laying out short-term priorities and longer-term capital forecasts.

Becky, a regional representative, told the committee that the district's capital assessment to the towns is calculated "based on the four-year average enrollment" and that Southborough's share is roughly 40 percent. She said the district asked the towns to anticipate an ongoing capital assessment in the $400,000'$500,000 annual range to keep up with maintenance needs for the 350,000-square-foot high school.

Why it matters: Algonquin serves both Southborough and Northborough; capital costs are apportioned to both towns by enrollment, so local budget planning depends on the regional assessment formula.

FY27 priorities and costs

- Small-to-midsize priorities: The region identified a set of priority projects under $500,000 to address near-term needs, including envelope caulking and preventative maintenance that can be staged over multiple years. Facilities staff recommended breaking some envelope work into increments at ~ $30,000 per year.

- Dust collector and wood-shop equipment: The wood-shop dust collector has failed and requires replacement; facilities estimated the replacement at about $45,000.

- Grounds equipment: The district said its large grounds area requires replacement of end-of-life lawn and grounds equipment, including a tractor replacement plan.

Debt and assessments

Becky said the bond for Algonquin's renovation will be paid off in FY27; the athletic-complex bond payment schedule also begins in FY27, but the district is working with a bank (Unibank) and the district's business office to smooth the first-year payment so it is lower in FY27 and slightly higher in subsequent years to lessen immediate town impacts. Becky said paying off the renovation bond will reduce debt service in the near term, though the district anticipates capital assessment needs will rise again as larger-system replacements come due.

Decision-making and inter-town coordination

Capital staff told the committee that, while the regional school committee could present the full regional budget to town meeting as one line item, the administration has generally worked with the town capital committees to secure local buy-in. Jason Milenowski, the capital committee chair, asked for continued collaboration so Southborough can plan for its share of regional capital costs.

Ending

Officials said the FY27 regional plan remains draft; the regional facilities team expects to refine the list with the regional committee and return to the town capital committee in advance of town-meeting budget hearings.