Schools seek $365K for classroom technology and $1.4M for security upgrades
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Summary
The school department consolidated technology upgrades into a $365,000 single‑year package for all elementary schools and the middle school and proposed roughly $1.4 million for security upgrades across four schools; the committee said the security ask could change if larger school projects or Neary move forward.
Committee members heard two school proposals that could be prominent items on the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant.
Speaker 1 said the superintendent and the school committee consolidated planned technology purchases into a single one‑year package totaling $365,000 for three elementary schools and the middle school. Speaker 1 described the items as movable/portable so the project could proceed regardless of other town meeting outcomes: "They will buy portable or movable items...not permanent items, such that the items could be removed if there's a program there and input back in." The committee heard the consolidation creates a bondable package but noted bond financing increases interest costs.
On security, Speaker 1 said bringing all four schools to a common security baseline was estimated at about $1,400,000. Members discussed phasing or bundling security work depending on whether larger projects such as Neary advance at town meeting; Speaker 1 said if a related project succeeds in March, the security dollar amount presented at town meeting might be lower because upgrades could be part of a broader package.
Committee members did not make final decisions on either package and agreed to present both items to the Select Board and Advisory as part of the full capital picture. The committee also discussed sending technology and security items to the Municipal Technology Committee for review as appropriate.
