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Board approves Phase 3 project list for lease-funded capital work; majority of projects targeted to Atkinson Academy
Summary
The Timberlane board approved a Phase 3 project list for work largely at Atkinson Academy with one major project at Sandown North; the facilities committee recommended seven projects and a Phase 2 rebate will be applied to Phase 3.
The Timberlane Regional School District school board approved a Phase 3 project list on Jan. 2, authorizing staff to begin drafting requests for proposals for seven capital projects, most located at Atkinson Academy and one at Sandown North.
Facilities committee members presented a prioritized list the committee had developed after months of meetings. The list focuses on foundational systems—HVAC upgrades and roofing—at multiple sites; committee members said grouping projects at a small number of locations reduces costs because contractors and crews can work more efficiently in one place.
The committee also reported a rebate from Phase 2 that will be applied to Phase 3, reducing the net budget request for Phase 3. Board members discussed the Belfry project at length; members said at least one building’s deferred maintenance has grown into a larger bill because routine upkeep was delayed for years.
Why it matters: The district’s master lease program has an overall authorization ceiling of $25 million. The board noted Phase 3 would bring the district’s total through the lease program to roughly $15 million toward that $25 million cap. The board framed the Phase 3 vote as a fiscally responsible next step because work is being prioritized where it can be done most cost effectively.
Board action - Motion to accept the Phase 3 project list and authorize staff to develop RFPs for the projects: motion moved and seconded; vote recorded 8‑0‑0 (approved).
Details and discussion Superintendent/administration staff told the board the Phase 3 list is on page 17 of the meeting packet and that the facilities committee had reduced the master list to seven priority projects. Board members noted that doing multiple related repairs at the same site—roofing, HVAC controls and units, duct work—was more cost effective than piecemeal repairs at multiple locations.
Board members acknowledged the Belfry’s nearly $1 million rehabilitation need and said the cost reflects years of deferred maintenance, not a new initiative. Members said that once the district completes Phase 3 the lease program will have reached about $15 million of the $25 million authorized by voters; the board can add more phases later as needed but may also choose to stop before reaching the maximum.
Next steps Staff will proceed with RFP drafting and contractor selection processes for the Phase 3 projects and will apply the Phase 2 rebate to reduce Phase 3 costs. The board also discussed options for potential prepayment of lease phases to save long‑term interest costs.
Ending Board members described the Phase 3 vote as prioritizing district assets and acting on long‑deferred maintenance needs while trying to be cost‑efficient.
