School leaders ask town for $10.5M in FY27 capital projects, flag aging roofs and doors

Chris Murphy, who presented the district’s draft FY27 capital improvement plan on Nov. 4, told the school committee the five‑year list identifies roughly $10.5 million in needs for fiscal 2027, with priority projects that address building envelopes, safety and aging equipment.

Murphy said the Early Learning Center’s 31‑year‑old roof may have less than two years of useful life and recommended design and replacement planning. He also flagged an outdated fire‑control panel in a school lobby that would be difficult to repair if it fails, and called for upgrades to single‑pane "vent windows" that contribute to heat loss.

Other top items Murphy highlighted included Chromebook replacements for several grade levels, five replacement buses or specialized vehicles to modernize an aging fleet, renovation of interior rooms repurposed as special‑needs spaces, and a commercial water‑heater replacement at the middle school.

Committee members and administration discussed process and funding: the district’s capital list will be reviewed by the town’s Capital Asset Management Committee, which makes recommendations to the town manager; the town manager’s recommendation then goes to town council and finance committee for final appropriation. Murphy also presented a list of partially completed projects that could be repurposed to fund higher‑priority items.

Committee members asked for clearer markings of items rolled from FY26 to FY27 and urged building tours for newer members. One member noted the district had previously commissioned a building‑envelope study with multi‑million‑dollar estimates and emphasized steady, prioritized investment over time.

What’s next: the district will refine the CIP, pursue possible repurposing of unspent project funds, and continue discussions with the town finance process; committee members recommended public outreach for high‑cost items.