Fitchburg — Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Roach reviewed a districtwide capital‑projects update on Nov. 18 that included completed work and several near‑term investments intended to improve building systems and school safety.

Roach said the South Street Early Learning Center roof replacement was completed over the summer at an estimated cost of about $1.2 million, funded primarily by ESSER 3 with a portion from an IVAC grant. He said two large HVAC projects at South Street and Memorial are scheduled for 2025 using federal ventilation and air‑quality grants; the district split bidding into three packages after poor response to a single large bid package.

On security, Roach described an integrated upgrade—merging existing and new cameras (about 380+ across the district), door‑alarm sensors, badge access controls, vaping detection units at the middle and high schools, an integrated visitor‑management system and updated intercom/phone capability. He said the security package is ESSER‑funded and estimated “just under $2,500,000.”

Roach also updated the committee on Crocker Elementary’s replacement: demolition and extensive site work are underway with a substantial completion date targeted for April 2025. Crocker Field was completed this year using a mix of ARPA funds, school choice funds and a $250,000 NFL grant.

The district’s solar canopy at Fitchburg High is nearly complete; Roach said the two parking‑lot canopies should generate roughly 700,000 kilowatt‑hours per year and estimated lifetime savings to the district of about $1.4 million over a 25‑year power purchase agreement.

Committee members asked about custodial staffing, FMX work‑order adoption to track deferred maintenance, options for renovating versus replacing older buildings (Roach said asbestos and ADA challenges make renovation more expensive in many cases) and partnerships with Monty Tech for vocational work potentially useful to facilities projects.

Roach said some projects were funded by ESSER, ARPA and Sodexo (the district’s food service contractor provided the walk‑in freezer under a guaranteed return arrangement), and that more detailed prioritization will be presented in a 3–5 year capital plan to the resource subcommittee in spring.

The presentation was informational; the committee did not take a formal vote on the capital package at the meeting.