McDonough project advances; roofs, cameras and a 10,000‑gallon oil tank prompt funding questions
Summary
Board members received updates on the McDonough School project and other capital priorities: the city will hire architects for two roof projects, the state must perform plan review before bidding, cameras were described as “absolutely critical,” and the district discussed a state grant that could cover about 67.14% of a Moody School oil‑tank replacement.
School and facilities leaders told the Middletown Board of Education budget committee that several capital projects are moving forward while funding and timing remain under discussion with the city and state.
Marco Gaylord and other staff said the McDonough School Building Committee will meet to discuss hiring a construction manager and adjacent-property concerns. On the state side, the next step is a formal plan review: the state must examine and sign off on drawings before the project can proceed to bidding.
The board discussed immediate capital items. "The cameras are absolutely critical," Dr. Adley said, noting safety and security concerns limit details but create urgency to find grants and city support. Marco said the city agreed to hire an architectural firm to draw plans for two roof projects, a first step toward bidding and eventual construction.
Board members also raised the subject of replacing an oil tank at Moody School. Marco said the district is meeting with a consultant and conducting tests; Forbes told the committee the Department of Administrative Services has a non-priority grant opportunity that currently covers about 67.14% of eligible costs but requires the city to provide matching funds for an application.
The committee discussed why some capital needs were not included in the recent $50 million referendum. Marco responded that roofs and tanks have been on multi-year capital plans; timing and the bond’s project list mean some items were not part of that referendum. Forbes added that state reimbursement percentages change year to year and noted that Senator Lesser had earlier helped secure an additional 15% reimbursement for the McDonough and Kegwin projects, improving the projects’ fiscal viability.
Facilities staff said they are finalizing a 10‑year facilities plan and will share it with the board by the March meeting so members — particularly newer members — can anticipate coming capital needs and associated budget implications.
What’s next: faculty and facilities staff will continue plan review steps with the state, pursue available grants for cameras and other safety work, complete consultant tests on the Moody oil tank and provide a finalized 10‑year facilities plan to the board in March for committee and budget planning.
