Board approves Irving Robbins asbestos specifications and a $14.3M capital plan, staff cite ~32.7% state reimbursement eligibility
Summary
The board approved educational specifications for Irving A. Robbins Middle School asbestos abatement and approved the district's 2026-27 capital funding requests, including a $14.339M set of HVAC projects that staff said may be partially reimbursable by the state at about 32.7%.
The Farmington School District Board on Jan. 12 approved educational specifications to move forward with asbestos flooring abatement at Irving A. Robbins Middle School, a procedural step staff said is necessary to apply for state reimbursement and keep the project on a summer construction timeline.
Facilities staff explained the town council previously approved separating the abatement as its own capital project and shifted capital funds to cover schematic design and abatement work; staff said eligible abatement and reflooring costs will be submitted to the state for reimbursement and that Farmington's eligibility is currently presented in the meeting transcript as approximately 32.7% of eligible costs. Board members asked whether state reimbursement is guaranteed; staff said approval is not automatic but that the abatement category is routinely reimbursed and noted which portions of a project may be ineligible.
The board also moved to approve the district's 2026-27 capital funding projects, a package that includes technology, security and facility projects and identifies a set of four elementary HVAC upgrades projected at approximately $14.339 million (gross). Board members discussed phasing, financing and the merits of submitting four separate reimbursable projects to maximize state grant eligibility. The capital approval passed by voice vote with a recorded result of eight in favor, zero opposed and one abstention.
