Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New facilities director outlines priorities; board presses for cost transparency and water testing results
Summary
Facilities director Liam Lynch described priorities—student safety, security, and advancing capital projects—and reported the district is targeting a 3% maintenance threshold; trustees asked for clearer cost figures on roofing, gym floor and parking-lot projects and follow-up on drinking-water testing at Matunock Elementary.
Liam Lynch, the district’s recently appointed facilities director, told the school committee he is focused on "student comfort, safety, security, taking care of the day to day operation" and advancing capital improvements. Lynch said the department had moved several capital projects "over the hump" in the past three months and that the district is on target to meet the statutory 3% maintenance threshold for the coming fiscal reporting.
Board members pressed for greater cost transparency on several active projects, including Broad Rock roofing, installation of rooftop heating units and resurfacing of the West Kingston parking lot. Lynch said project sequencing and vendor coordination are intended to limit disruption and that he is working closely with the new chief financial officer, Patricia Proctor, to align CapEx priorities and identify reimbursable projects that will restore withheld housing aid once substantially complete.
The committee also discussed a recent gym-floor issue that caused at least one athletic event to be relocated because the surface was slippery; Lynch said the gym was refinished and the district has engaged the chosen vendor to revisit the work at no additional cost if needed. On drinking water at Matunock Elementary, Lynch said the district ordered testing kits after a "Do Not Drink" sign was noticed; he provided the most recent prior test to administrators and said new testing will determine whether signs can be safely removed.
Members asked the administration to include cost estimates in future facilities reports and to provide any test results and remediation updates for drinking water. Lynch said he will be available for follow-ups and that the facilities team meets regularly with the CFO to prioritize projects and contingency options if projects slip and jeopardize the 3% maintenance requirement.
