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Groton board presses for floorplans, budget and robotics safeguards in machining program proposal
Summary
Administrators presented a proposed machining and manufacturing program tied to Electric Boat and the district's robotics team; board members demanded detailed floorplans, a 1'year operational budget and guarantees that robotics practice space and equipment will be preserved before approving purchases.
Administrators and a project director outlined a plan to add a precision machining program at Fitch High School that would expand career pathways and work with Electric Boat to train students for local industry.
Lori Ferguson, identified as the project director for the program, told the Committee of the Whole the steering committee had consulted with facilities staff, Electric Boat machine teams and a Coventry High School instructor to confirm utilities, ventilation, safety and Internet connectivity for CNC machines. "The budget for the equipment is $327,249," Ferguson said, and she noted facility preparation and ventilation upgrades could add up to $100,000.
Board members pressed for details on how the project would affect the existing robotics team. Ian Thomas warned that "the robotics team has extended years of effort and fundraising to acquire the equipment they have," and asked for a clear plan to avoid displacing the team's field or equipment. Sherry Fracas, who participated as a robotics representative, said she had not seen the blueprint and asked for the floorplan to be shared. Ferguson said the steering committee had included robotics stakeholders and that the district had identified additional spaces—such as the wood shop and a computer lab—for robotics work during transition.
Administrators also addressed operational costs. Superintendent Susan Austin said the district plans to post a single staffing position at startup that can cover robotics and machining instruction, and that much of the initial outlay would be front‑loaded with ongoing costs supported by Perkins grants and other identified funding sources. "We receive $70,000 each year" in Perkins funds, a district staffer said during the presentation when discussing how career and technical education grants are allocated.
Several members said they were not comfortable approving purchases until they saw a complete implementation package. Committee Chair Beverly Washington asked Ferguson to return with a comprehensive budget, maintenance and consumables forecasts and floorplans; Ferguson agreed and offered to return within two weeks. The board discussed procurement lead times and grant encumbrance deadlines and scheduled a special follow‑up meeting for March 30 to review the requested materials.
The board also asked administration to provide a clear protocol or memorandum of understanding describing which equipment would remain dedicated to the robotics team, how shared equipment would be managed and who would be responsible for maintenance and liability. "If a child gets hurt," Andrea Ackerman said, "who's liable?" Administration replied that district oversight and employee supervision would govern liability for equipment used on school premises.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the project; members asked for additional documentation and a refined budget before any action. Administration warned that some grant funding comes with spending deadlines and said ordering equipment by April would be necessary to meet lead times for summer installation.
Next steps: administration will return with floorplans, a 1'year operating budget and maintenance estimates, and the board scheduled a special meeting on March 30 for follow up.
