Wakefield school leaders outline multi-tier capital plan including security upgrades, Greenwood feasibility study and new activity bus
Summary
Administrators presented a multi-tier capital plan asking the town to consider a Greenwood School feasibility study, a $127,000 Genetec access-control upgrade, an additional 14-passenger activity bus, and other building repairs totaling $372,000 in Tier 1 requests.
Wakefield Public Schools administrators presented a multi-tier capital plan on Jan. 27 that asks the town to consider several facility and safety projects, including a feasibility study for Greenwood School, districtwide access-control upgrades, and an additional activity bus.
Superintendent Dr. Lyons opened the capital discussion by thanking facilities staff and town Public Works crews for snow removal. Tim O’Brien, director of facilities, outlined the Tier 1 priorities. He said the Greenwood feasibility study would analyze ADA accessibility, heating and cooling systems, and other building shortcomings as a first step toward any future add/reno project. Administrators described that as preparatory work: a feasibility study would allow the district to submit a statement of interest for state grant processes that could take several years to run to construction.
O’Brien proposed a districtwide add-on to the existing Genetec security suite to replace an aging Winpak door-control system. He described the current Winpak system as lacking encryption and said the not-to-exceed ask of $127,000 would cover controllers, wiring, touchpoints and staff access-control training. O’Brien said the upgrade would allow the district to reduce the door-relock delay and limit so-called "piggybacking" at entry points.
The administration also requested a third 14-passenger activity bus to supplement existing buses and reduce reliance on contracted transportation for after-school athletics and field trips. Committee members discussed exploring electric or hybrid activity-bus options aligned with Wakefield’s green-communities goals; O’Brien said 14-passenger electric models are currently less available but the district is researching cost comparisons.
The administration described other requests across tiers: a Tier 2 request of $350,000 to replace a nonfunctional electronic fly system in the Galvin auditorium (with a preference for a manual system to avoid future software failures) and a Tier 3 $15,000 door replacement at Walton School to address emerging rot. The administration said Tier 1 totaled $372,000 and that the capital committee historically funds a substantial portion of Tier 1 asks when projects are well-documented.
Committee members asked about past funding success rates and about technical scope for the Genetec request; O’Brien and other administrators said last year the district received roughly 70–80% of its Tier 1 asks and confirmed the Genetec figure includes backend work and training. Administrators emphasized that revolving rental income and town capital decisions will affect what can be funded locally.
Next steps: administrators will present documentation and quotes to the town capital committee and continue conversations about timing and funding options.
