Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Smithfield committee approves amended 2025–26 calendar, OKs architects' invoice and reviews $111,000 elevator repair estimate
Summary
Committee approved an amended 2025–26 calendar (administration noted a possible outdoor graduation date change), approved invoice #11 for architects not to exceed $15,698.25 and several FY26 budget transfers, and discussed Gallagher Middle School elevator repair estimates of roughly $53,000 (parts) to $111,000 (comprehensive).
The Smithfield School Committee on Dec. 18 approved an amended 2025–26 school calendar, accepted an architects’ invoice and approved fiscal‑year 2026 budget transfers, and heard a detailed update from its building committee on pending facilities work.
Administration told the committee the revised calendar adds an April 29 early‑release day for grades 9–11 so seniors can present graduation portfolios and that seniors’ half‑day exam schedule will occur after day 171. The draft calendar lists graduation on June 13 at Deerfield Park, but administration said they expect to hold graduation outdoors on June 14 because Bryant University will be unavailable. Committee members asked administration to include tentative graduation dates earlier in future calendar approvals so families can plan.
On finance and procurement, the committee approved invoice #11 for the district architects (not to exceed $15,698.25) and approved FY26 budget transfers; both items were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The audio did not record numeric roll‑call tallies.
The building committee update focused on phase‑three planning with SLAM architects (pricing for windows and doors) and a pressing equipment need at Gallagher Middle School. Committee members said the elevator has had roughly $27,000 in repairs over the past four years, immediate parts needed were estimated at about $53,000, and a more comprehensive repair to address multiple system failures was estimated at roughly $111,000. The administration said the elevator can still transport a wheelchair with an attendant, but the work would not make the unit fully compliant with current ADA standards; the committee recommended the building committee review options, including whether a chair lift could be tagged onto a larger project, and return with recommendations.
Separately, the finance director gave an informational update on retirement-plan compliance: to comply with the SECURE Act 2.0 catch‑up contribution rules for employees age 50 and over, the district must add a Roth option (Roth 403(b) or Roth 457(b) as applicable) and update its adoption agreement with plan administrator Omni for 2026.
Next steps: the building committee will meet in January to review SLAM pricing and elevator repair options and will bring recommendations back to the School Committee; administration will publish the final calendar and clarify the graduation date.
