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Advisory committee prioritizes five alternates for Whitford Middle School

North Kingstown School Department Building Advisory Committee · April 2, 2026

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Summary

The Building Advisory Committee voted to forward a prioritized list of five alternates — baseball/multi-field, softball improvements, a 600 kW generator option, air-source heat pumps for CHIPS compliance, and theater equipment — to the school committee, noting technical data may shift priorities.

The North Kingstown Building Advisory Committee voted April 1 to recommend its top five alternates for the Whitford Middle School project to the school committee.

Committee members and the OPM reviewed a prioritized alternates list compiled from committee survey results and OPM/district input. The advisory group’s ranked top five matched the OPM’s priorities: (1) baseball and multi-field (including associated site work), (2) softball field improvements, (3) a 600 kW generator plus building docking station for partial backup capability, (4) air-source heat pumps and associated electrification work (to help meet CHIPS requirements), and (5) theater/equipment improvements.

Committee members stressed the list is a prioritized recommendation rather than a binding commitment. "We need to recognize these are priorities and they may shift as we get more technical data," a committee member said during discussion. Speakers emphasized that some items (for example, a new leaching field) might move from alternate to base scope depending on technical evaluations.

The committee made a motion to accept the top-five priorities and, after discussion about timing and funding, approved the motion. Staff said OPM and the construction manager will add time-sensitive decision dates for certain alternates as the project moves into design development and pricing.

The advisory committee will forward the prioritized list and supporting survey to the school committee; OPM noted that some alternates require long lead procurement decisions and will return with more detailed cost and schedule implications at the June advisory meeting.