High‑school construction: $1.68M technology package approved; change order and multiple invoices also cleared

The Wakefield Public Building Committee approved several major budget and procurement items for the high‑school project, including a $1,681,152.92 FF&E and technology package with $148,067.98 in contingency, multiple vendor invoices for May 2026 and Internal Change Order #25 totaling $271,783.

Frank, presenting the technology package, said vendor pricing was aggregated across state contract and other procurements. He reported the committee remains under the previously authorized $1.8 million budget, with the presented total leaving an estimated $148,067.98 in contingency. Specific vendor quotes discussed included ProAV (recommended vendor for AV installation at about $255,983), Apple (~$179,611), Dell (~$268,000) and New Era Technologies (networking) reported as the largest single line. Frank said installation and warranty items for institutional equipment are included in the quoted costs.

Committee members asked whether town/school IT would self‑perform configuration and device setup or whether that work should be contracted; Todd Bowden (town IT) was suggested as a working‑group invite to verify capacity. Presenters warned some vendor quotes hold for limited windows (Dell 14 days, Apple eight days).

The committee also approved multiple invoices by roll call (included vendors: Left Field $145,000; SMMA $144,607.70; RCN $12,809.43; UTS $2,034.75; bond payment $5,072,339.28) reporting a May total of $5,323,546.48 approved for payment. In addition, two Inception Technologies invoices totaling $39,228.25 (for document scanning) were approved and noted as within a previously authorized not‑to‑exceed amount.

On construction, Lynn reported committed funds at 92% and expenditures at 65% with available owner contingencies totaling approximately $17.94 million across categories; construction progress was reported at roughly 70 percent. The committee approved Internal Change Order #25, a package of multiple PCOs addressing door finishes, AV clarifications, conduit/fire alarm work, compressed‑air ports for science classrooms and moisture mitigation alternates, for a net cost of $271,783 funded from contingency.

FF&E subcommittee recommendations to purchase band storage equipment ($18,583.40) and a Yamaha C6X grand piano ($57,392) were accepted, with members noting contingency funds cover cost increases. The meeting closed with typical governance items and adjournment.