Hanover Schools Launch 10-Year Capital Funding Strategy with $600,000 Refurbishment Package for Aging Buildings
HANOVER - September 24 - The Hanover School Committee endorsed a comprehensive 10-year capital funding strategy designed to address critical infrastructure needs while laying groundwork for potential future school construction, beginning with a proposed refurbishment package estimated at $600,000 for fiscal year 2027 that will address urgent repairs across the district’s aging buildings.
The Full Story
Superintendent Matthew Ferron and Finance Director Mike Oates presented the committee with a strategic approach to managing the district’s deteriorating facilities, particularly at the 50-plus-year-old Hanover Middle School and the Cedar School. The plan balances immediate maintenance needs with long-term decision-making about whether to invest millions in renovations or pursue new construction through the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
The proposed FY27 refurbishment package includes critical projects that will be necessary regardless of any future building decisions. Senior Facilities Engineer Andrew Cardinal outlined the specific needs: roof repairs at Hanover Middle School, HVAC repairs at Hanover High School, carpet replacement at Cedar School and the Middle School, a wheelchair lift replacement at Cedar School, and gymnasium floor refurbishment at Center School and the Middle School.
Oates explained that the district already has $250,000 available from a spring 2024 town meeting article to begin roof repairs at the Middle School, but additional funding will be needed to complete those repairs. The committee will need to request a warrant article for approximately $350,000 to $400,000 to complete the refurbishment package, which they plan to present to the Advisory Committee and Select Board this winter for approval at spring town meeting.
The most pressing issue at the Hanover High School involves a failing HVAC system that has created uncomfortable learning conditions, with classroom temperatures regularly reaching the low 80s. Cardinal explained that the school’s heating and cooling system was manufactured by Main Pool Company, which went out of business shortly after installation 11 years ago. The unique design makes replacement parts extremely difficult to source, with compressors currently on a three-month backorder. Cardinal noted that the units were improperly designed with variable frequency drives that have accelerated the breakdown of compressors not meant to operate under those conditions.
Superintendent Ferron emphasized the strategic thinking behind the approach, stating the district needs to avoid reactionary spending. “What we don’t want to do, on my watch, is put in a year of work and $5, 6, 7 million into something unless we know it’s going to be there for many, many years and going to work and have utility,” Ferron said. He explained that major projects like complete roof replacement and HVAC overhauls at the Middle School could cost between $3 million and $6 million but would not improve educational functionality.
The timeline presented to the committee calls for endorsement of the refurbishment strategy this fall, followed by presentation to town officials this winter, advocacy for warrant article approval at spring town meeting, and then initiating broader discussions about potential new school construction in fall 2025. Ferron stressed that any new building project through MSBA would take approximately 8 to 10 years to complete, making the immediate repairs essential for maintaining safe learning environments.
Committee member Libby Corbo urged the district to begin preparing a Statement of Interest for submission to MSBA, noting that the application process alone takes six to eight months, followed by an additional eight months before hearing back from the state agency. She warned that MSBA has historically closed application windows for budgetary reasons, potentially leaving the district unable to pursue state funding when ready. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were able to have a school that had an area to foster some of those trades, that trade education, to see if our students who are interested in taking that route,” Corbo said, suggesting opportunities to incorporate career technical education into a potential middle school project.
Committee member Ryan Hall praised the strategic approach, noting it represents a shift toward proactive long-term planning rather than reactionary budgeting. “We’ve talked over the last few years of having more long-term planning to be strategic and to be forward-thinking and less reactionary with our budget,” Hall said. He requested that future presentations include not just project costs but also lifespan estimates for each repair to better evaluate whether incremental maintenance or major reconstruction represents better value for taxpayers.
Committee member Chris Tracy acknowledged the difficulty of discussing potential building projects so soon after the community passed an operating override. “I know that although it’s a difficult conversation, it does have to take place at some point,” Tracy said, adding that the refurbishment approach demonstrates the district is “being strategic about it” and “taking care of what’s critical now” while thinking long-term.
Chair Peter Miraglia expressed strong support for the strategic approach, calling it “the best set of goals I’ve seen on the committee” and noting the plan is “very forward-looking, very student-focused.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the full scope before committing to major capital investments. Ferron stressed multiple times that the purpose of the presentation was not to announce plans for a new school but rather to establish a framework for strategic decision-making.
Oates noted that this 10-year capital planning approach is being coordinated across all town departments, not just schools, providing the community with a comprehensive view of municipal infrastructure needs and priorities. Town Manager Joe Colangelo and his team are working with all departments to develop aligned long-term capital strategies.
In a separate agenda item, the committee unanimously approved Superintendent Ferron’s goals for the 2025-2026 school year. The goals focus on student learning through reimagining the master schedule at the high school and middle school with an academic working group, including exploring possible adjustments to start and end times. A second goal addresses professional practice by developing policy and training around artificial intelligence in educational settings, including assessment of privacy concerns related to using AI tools with student records, IEPs, and behavior plans. Two district-wide goals focus on strategic planning and continuous improvement.
The committee also received a comprehensive safety and security update from Safety and Security Liaison Joel Barrett. Barrett highlighted the successful implementation of a new radio system funded through a grant written by Fire Chief Jay Cavallaro, which distributed approximately 175 enhanced two-way radios across the district. The new system features 15 channels including a direct channel to regional dispatch, cutting emergency response times by approximately one minute—reducing average response from two and a half minutes to under 90 seconds.
Barrett reported that the district continues using ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training protocol for active shooter preparedness, which he described as remaining the number one nationally recognized program. This year’s new teacher induction included approximately 40 staff members receiving ALICE training, a significant increase from previous years. Barrett emphasized that ALICE focuses on empowering individuals to make proactive decisions based on their specific environment rather than endorsing specific security products.
Committee members praised Barrett’s work and the district’s strong partnership with the Hanover Police Department, particularly School Resource Officer John Voelkel, who regularly attends training sessions. Barrett noted that the Police Department conducts annual building walk-throughs to assess security needs, ensuring any physical security concerns are identified and addressed. The training extends to South Shore Vocational Technical High School to ensure consistency across the regional community.
Why It Matters
Hanover families and taxpayers face a critical juncture in school infrastructure planning that will impact both short-term learning conditions and long-term financial obligations. The immediate refurbishment package will address safety and comfort issues—including dangerously hot classrooms, deteriorating roofs, worn carpeting where young children learn, and ADA compliance for wheelchair access—that directly affect the daily educational experience. Looking ahead, the strategic planning process will determine whether the community invests millions in aging buildings that will not improve educational programming, or pursues state-assisted new construction that could take a decade to complete. The decision will significantly impact property tax obligations and the quality of educational facilities for the next generation of Hanover students. Parents should understand that even as these discussions begin, maintaining current buildings remains the immediate priority to ensure safe, comfortable learning environments.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the superintendent goals for 2025-2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (5-0). (Timestamp: 00:06:01)
Motion: To adjourn the meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (5-0). (Timestamp: 01:04:35)
Public Comment
No public comments were made during the designated public comment period at the beginning of the meeting or at the conclusion.
What’s Next
The administration will research MSBA statement of interest application timelines and deadlines for the next 12-24 months. The finance department will develop cost estimates for all components of the FY27 refurbishment package to present at Budget 1.0 in approximately one month. The district will prepare presentations for the Advisory Committee and Select Board this winter regarding the refurbishment warrant article for spring 2025 town meeting. Andrew Cardinal and the facilities team will continue roof repair work at Hanover Middle School using existing article funds, with HVAC compressor parts expected to arrive and be installed at Hanover High School next Tuesday. In fall 2025, the committee will initiate broader discussions about potential new school construction versus major renovation investments.