The Concord School Committee reviewed a district five‑year capital plan on Nov. 19 that prioritizes immediate building needs and defers some larger projects pending potential state support. Facilities staff said the plan used a two‑year‑old GRLA architects study and input from principals, technology and athletics staff to identify urgent items and reasonable timelines.

The plan lists near‑term items such as catch basin repairs at Alcott (estimated $20,000), replacement of an aging building management system needed to run HVAC (cost estimate not finalized), auditorium projector replacements, a glycol mixing tank at Thoreau, a floor scrubber and an auditorium sound system at Willard (estimate ~$40,000), copier replacements (~$16,000 per unit), and classroom touchscreen displays at roughly $4,000 installed per unit. Facilities staff recommended holding off on large roof and paving projects where possible to pursue MSBA eligibility for state subsidy on eligible building projects.

Committee members discussed Ripley, described as at or near end‑of‑life, and referenced town land‑use and consolidation work evaluating options for preschool space and central office relocation. Administration said any urgent Ripley maintenance will be addressed if it fails but that larger decisions are being coordinated with the town’s land‑use committee.

On routine budget business, the committee approved quarterly transfers and adjustments, including a $69,000 McKinney‑Vento homeless transportation reimbursement appropriation the town had allocated to schools. The committee then considered a conceptual mural proposed by the Ripley preschool PTG. The project, modeled on Eric Carle artwork and supported by the PTG funding (no district request), received committee approval after a motion and roll call vote.

The committee scheduled joint meetings with the select board and finance committee on Dec. 8 to align capital requests with town priorities and financing. No major borrowing decisions were finalized at the meeting.