Committee approves request to seek schematic-design funds for Bromfield HVAC project

The Harvard School Committee voted to seek up to $100,000 in schematic-design funds to support an estimated $8–10 million HVAC replacement project at Bromfield School.

Superintendent Dr. Linda Dwight told the committee the existing mechanical systems at Bromfield are more than 30 years old and do not reliably meet recommended ventilation standards; she said some classrooms lack operable windows and that inadequate air exchange has contributed to inconsistent classroom temperatures and health concerns that affect learning conditions. The committee agreed the project will require a robust community outreach plan if it proceeds to town meeting.

Under the plan presented, the district would request schematic-design funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). Dr. Dwight said the schematic-design request would seek up to $100,000; if MSBA accepts the project into its program, the district would be reimbursed at the MSBA reimbursement rate for eligible costs. She also noted the district might pursue roughly $1 million in green-community funds to support the project’s sustainability components.

Timeline presented to the committee called for seeking town-meeting approval in September for project funding steps and targeted overall project completion by the following May. Committee members urged that students’ and teachers’ perspectives be included during public engagement.

The full committee approved moving forward with the CPIC request for schematic-design funding by roll call vote 5–0.