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Torrington capital plan spotlights Forbes/FAST Academy repairs, Vogel HVAC and a $689K technology package
Summary
Facilities staff outlined a FY2026–27 capital proposal prioritizing gym and accessibility work at Forbes/FAST Academy, mechanical upgrades at Vogel/Wetmore, PA and safety system replacements, plus a $688,863 tech package that includes 1,200 Chromebooks and interactive displays.
Facilities staff told the joint Board of Finance and Board of Education on April 21 that the district’s FY2026–27 capital proposal prioritizes building systems and safety work across schools and a concentrated technology purchase.
Highlights included gym‑floor and lighting upgrades at the former Forbes School (home to Fast Academy programs), plumbing and accessibility fixes at elementary schools, substantial mechanical and controls work at Vogel/Wetmore (chillers, AHUs, pumps and an outdated building‑management system), new public‑address systems and stair repairs at the intermediate/Southwest schools, additional cameras and badge access at Torrington School, and maintenance/snow equipment replacements for district custodial operations.
Facilities staff said many projects were identified in a prior facility study and that several items are expected to be eligible for OSG/reimbursement; the five‑year plan submitted to the city factors in anticipated reimbursements and district share. Members discussed using engineering studies to scope HVAC replacements with a focus on efficiency (variable‑frequency drives, outdoor‑air sensors and BMS improvements) and potential operating‑cost payback.
The capital proposal includes a technology package totaling $688,863: 1,200 Chromebooks (about $345,000) plus associated licenses ($37,200), 100 staff desktops ($79,400), interactive displays and PCs (about $214,489), and two network switches ($28,174). District staff said the inventory includes roughly 2,700 Chromebooks and the 1,200 units requested are a prioritized replacement subset; device lifespans and licensing/warranty cycles explained staggering of purchases.
Board of Finance members suggested examining alternative hardware and licensing strategies (one member suggested Ubiquiti configurations) and questioned whether moving licensing off the Board of Education operating budget (for example as an in‑kind city service) would change MBR impacts. Facilities staff reiterated that engineering work will define the optimal scope for mechanical upgrades and that many capital items were selected from the district facility study.
What happens next: the Board of Education planned to vote on its capital plan at its next meeting and then transmit a final capital request to the city. Finance members requested copies of the facility study and detailed cost/benefit estimates for major mechanical investments.
