Wallingford-Swarthmore leaders revisit $164 million capital cap, schedule architects'community meetings

The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District on Jan. 20 returned to a long-running discussion about its proposed $164,000,000 capital-improvement authorization, with Superintendent Dr. Johnson urging a measured review of scope and community priorities before the district locks in final costs.

Dr. Johnson said the $164 million figure is an upper limit: "this is an up to amount" and does not mean the district intends to spend the full sum. He told the committee KCBA is the district architect and that CHA will present a more detailed itemization of priorities next month so the board and public can see what is included for each building.

Why it matters: the capital plan covers the high-school renovation and districtwide facility work that could shape building use, athletics and long-range budget needs. Board members pressed for clarity on what the baseline "warm, safe, dry" package includes and whether athletics fields, the auditorium and the pool would be part of the funded work.

Dr. Johnson said athletics and fields sit under a "base plus" package and identified $7,000,000 as the additional allocation that would cover fields under a larger option. He described a schedule in which KCBA will present initial design updates to the full board on Feb. 23, the district will solicit community feedback on March 5, and the board could address scope and cost with a recommendation at its March 17 meeting.

Board members and attendees emphasized trade-offs. One member urged prudence to avoid repeating past underinvestment, saying it can be costly to delay maintenance; another warned against letting prudence become "the enemy of progress" and urged the board not to underinvest in long-term needs. Several members asked the administration to post an itemized list of priorities and price tags by building on the district website so stakeholders can track decisions.

The superintendent said architects and facility assessors examined the building over the December break and are developing renderings and phased construction plans that will be used to limit disruption while work occurs. He also said design conversations will include considerations for stormwater, site parking and impacts to back fields, but that no firm decision about altering the fields has been made.

What's next: KCBA and CHA will present to the board Feb. 23, the administration will host a community-priorities session March 5, and the board will review project scope and cost on March 17 with the goal of informing the April preliminary budget.