Salem School Committee backs roughly $5.8 million FY27 capital request, highlights Bentley repairs
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Summary
The committee approved the district'9s FY27 capital submission to city finance — a roughly $5.8 million package prioritizing MEP/HVAC work, playground planning and Bentley building repairs including a $555,000 investment.
The Salem School Committee voted 6-0 on Jan. 26 to approve the district'9s FY27 capital expenditure request and send the package to city finance for review. The request, presented by district facilities and operations staff, totals roughly $5.8 million in the packet and includes major mechanical, electrical and plumbing work, security upgrades and technology purchases.
Elizabeth (district presenter) said the full submission totals about $5.8 million (slides and the packet showed $5,825,000 in one place and $5,800,000 in another) and that the city typically funds $3 million to $3.5 million. She told the committee the largest single-line request is $2.4 million for MEP and HVAC backlog work.
The presentation singled out Bentley School for targeted repairs and near-term investments totaling about $555,000: replacement of window air-conditioning units (an estimated $200,000), a new building-wide public-address system, parking and grounds repaving, painting, LED lighting conversions and lock/key replacement. Staff said Bentley'9s window units are beyond their useful life and that a longer-term HVAC solution will require a larger assessment and regional/state grant support.
Other notable requests include planning funds for the Horace Mann early-childhood playground ($25,000 planning line in a $535,000 play-space bucket), roof replacements (Horace Mann), replacement of obsolete fire panels at Bates, Witchcraft and other safety system work, funds for Chromebooks and interactive touch-view screens (estimated $650,000), and ADA/accessibility work distributed across schools.
Member Stott asked about the ADA line item (noted in the packet as roughly $25,000 annually) and whether that amount adequately addresses a backlog. Elizabeth replied that $25,000 is the typical annual appropriation they have received and that those funds are used for localized ADA repairs (ramps, curb cuts, signage) and embedded in other projects as appropriate.
With the committee'9s vote, staff will meet with city finance staff to prioritize which items are likely to be funded in the municipal capital process and to identify potential grant or ESCO partnerships for larger HVAC and roof projects.