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BOE hears HVAC and vehicle concerns; superintendent seeks strategic-plan volunteers and NEASC funding opportunities
Summary
Facilities staff said HVAC work is in fine-tuning but a generator is nearing end of life and one dump truck is unusable; Superintendent Melinda Smith asked for volunteers for a five-year strategic plan, announced a NEASC high-school site visit in March, and reported district enrollment at 777.
Thompson school facilities and district planning were on the board's agenda as staff reported progress on an HVAC project and raised equipment and vehicle concerns.
William Birch, reporting during the finance/facilities update on Dec. 8, 2025, said the HVAC project is progressing and that some equipment remains on order with arrivals expected in January and February. He identified the generator as a primary concern, saying it is nearing the end of its useful life and that a cost estimate was not yet available. Birch also said one of two dump trucks is no longer usable; the district currently has a newer truck and one operational older truck, and Birch warned that a significant snowfall would require a second operational vehicle.
Superintendent Melinda Smith recognized longtime custodian James Burgess for his planned retirement and asked for volunteers to serve on a committee to develop a new five-year district strategic plan. Smith also reported that the high school is pursuing NEASC accreditation with a site visit scheduled for March; she said approximately 11 districts will be selected for financial support to assist with accreditation and that the district plans to explore that opportunity so the middle and elementary schools might also pursue accreditation in the future.
The board received a January 1, 2026 enrollment update reporting 777 students districtwide.
Next steps identified in the meeting included obtaining cost estimates for generator replacement and following up on vehicle needs; the strategic-plan volunteer recruitment and the NEASC application process will proceed through the superintendent's office.
