FF&E bids due; committee outlines moving plan, public tours and timeline for Whitman Middle School

Committee members were briefed on FF&E procurement and moving logistics for the new Whitman Middle School on April 28. Staff said FF&E bids are due April 29 and that one contracting team will oversee FF&E procurement while multiple vendors supply furnishings and equipment. The committee was told the district plans a deliberate summer move with training windows from December through February to ensure a smooth occupancy.

Staff described coordination with teachers and facilities staff to determine what classroom items will move, what will be declared surplus, and how sentimental or specialized items will be handled. The project team said they expect to hire a moving company to assist with the transition and that they will allow time between December and February for training, kitchen staff orientation and equipment testing.

The committee also discussed public access once construction is complete. Staff suggested December or January as possible windows for public tours and ribbon-cutting events and said the town, contractors and school staff would coordinate timing to balance final punch-list work and public interest.

Other schedule notes during the meeting included a reminder that phase two (demo and remaining site work) was scheduled to start Feb. 27 with a completion date cited in the transcript as May 2018 (a likely transcript error staff should confirm). The committee set its next meeting for May 26, 2026.