District asks towns to approve MSBA roof project; schools seek playground, security and building fixes

The Narragansett Regional School District presented multiple facility needs to the Capital Improvements Committee and said the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has voted to advance the district's roof replacement project, which the district reported at roughly $10.8 million with approximately 59% MSBA reimbursement. Dr. Casavant said the MSBA vote begins a timeline that requires both Templeton and Phillipston to take town‑meeting votes and subsequent ballot votes; if either town rejects the project the work cannot proceed under the current plan.

Dr. Casavant asked the committee to be prepared for warrant language and said Templeton anticipates taking a vote on Nov. 12 while Phillipston will schedule its own meeting in early December. He said MSBA reimbursement reduces the net cost to towns but that the district must be prepared to finance the full amount and then be reimbursed in accordance with MSBA procedures.

At the elementary school, the district requested replacement of playground surfacing on the main and pre‑K playgrounds, citing heavy year‑round wear that prevents grass from growing and exposes sprinkler boxes; a project estimate of about $74,000 was presented and additional contractor quotes are expected. The district explained that a turf field was cut from the original scope for cost reasons during construction and that the matting used for playgrounds does not hold up well under New England weather and the volume of school and community use.

The district also requested a bullet‑resistant reception window for the elementary school foyer to replace a single‑pane sliding glass window used for public interactions; Dr. Casavant gave a rough estimate of $7,000 and said the existing slider is too thin for required film protection. The district described ongoing nesting issues where birds have moved into building expansion grooves, and said MSBA representatives had been invited to review those building details; bird or bat ingress mitigation options and costs were discussed but no final estimate was presented.

Finally, the district explained it had renewed software for the building automation (HVAC) system to avoid lapse; the committee was told this renewal was necessary to keep heating, ventilation and air‑handling systems functional and that the renewal had been handled to prevent service interruption.

Committee members asked whether the district had shared materials with both towns; the superintendent said materials would be provided to the committee and that cross‑town conversations about cost sharing should follow. The committee asked to receive the materials presented to select boards so that the committee can be prepared for a possible supplemental capital report if warranted by the MSBA timetable.