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BOE grant writer outlines fast-track plan for McDonough; Kegwin renovation and Legacy Academy proposed
Summary
Natalie Forbes, the Board of Education grant writer, told the council the BOE is seeking a fast-track approval for McDonough School with a state review outcome expected between June 4 and June 30, 2025; the BOE proposes reallocating bond/match funds to pay for asbestos abatement and HVAC replacement at Kegwin School, with first-phase estimates up to $2.5 million.
Natalie Forbes, grant writer for the Board of Education, told the Common Council on April 7 that the BOE is pursuing a fast-track route with the state to accelerate the McDonough School project and avoid at least a year of delay under the normal schedule.
"The Fast Track does exist, and many cities and towns receive fast tracking for projects like schools and other major buildings," Forbes said. She told councilors that the legislative delegation is working with the BOE and the Education Committee to secure fast-track language, and that a decision on whether the project will move forward for review is expected between June 4 and June 30, 2025. If approved for fast-track treatment, the BOE would be required to submit roughly 60 attachments and responses by Sept. 1, 2025.
Forbes also outlined plans for Kegwin School, which has been unused for academic purposes for four years and would house most McDonough students while also hosting a proposed Legacy Academy to support students with behavioral, social and emotional or special-education needs. "Kegwin School would accommodate 230 students from McDonough and approximately 30 students for the Legacy Academy in the first year," Forbes said, describing a combined capacity of about 260 students.
She gave a rough first-phase renovation estimate of up to $2,500,000 and proposed reallocating match funds previously set aside for another project (a PV system at Snow Elementary) toward Kegwin. A portion — described as roughly one-third of the reallocated funds — would cover the match for a state grant focused on asbestos abatement; the remainder would help pay for an HVAC replacement above the library/media center and adjacent classrooms. Forbes said the asbestos abatement could be bid using a company on the state bid list and that that part of the work could proceed while the building committee and other approvals move forward.
Councilors asked whether the building committee, required under charter for projects at that cost threshold, would be involved in the fast-track work. Forbes said the asbestos-abatement element can be bid on the state list while the BOE and any building committee undertake the full renovation planning.
No final council vote on the reallocation or appointments occurred in the workshop; the items appeared on the council agenda for future action.
