Marshfield School Committee Approves $12.9 Million Capital Plan
District Received No Capital Funding from Town last year
MARSHFIELD - November 4 - The Marshfield School Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a five-year, $12.9 million capital budget plan, with immediate needs totaling $1.2 million, after the district received no capital funding from the town the prior year—an unprecedented outcome in recent history. The plan prioritizes critical roof repairs at Daniel Webster Elementary School, security upgrades at Eames Way School, and replacement of aging special education vans, while also addressing technology infrastructure and HVAC systems at the high school.
The Full Story
Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Tom Miller presented the comprehensive capital plan to the committee, explaining that the district removed three items from last year’s proposal and added several urgent needs. The most pressing priority is the Daniel Webster Elementary School roof, which requires immediate attention. While the full restoration project is estimated at $1.85 million, Miller told the committee that approximately $150,000 is needed immediately for a specific section of the building that cannot wait.
“The roof restoration is more of a seal coating of the roof,” Miller explained, distinguishing it from the complete roof replacement currently underway at Martinson Elementary School. The district plans to submit the Daniel Webster project to the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s accelerated repair program, which now includes roof restoration, with hopes of receiving 50 percent reimbursement.
The second priority involves replacing all interior and exterior doors at Eames Way School at a cost of $128,000. Miller emphasized this is a security priority after Marshfield Police identified the original doors as a security risk during building walkthroughs. Superintendent Patrick Sullivan clarified that temporary measures like door wedges have been implemented, but permanent replacement is overdue.
The technology component represents a four-year, $2.2 million investment, with $616,000 requested for the coming fiscal year. Technology Director Dave Cawthorne developed a comprehensive plan addressing kindergarten and first-grade Chromebooks, staff laptops district-wide, Marshfield High School computer labs, classroom voice systems, network access points, switches, upgraded security cameras, and interactive classroom panels. Much of the current technology was funded through the high school construction project eleven years ago and has reached the end of its lifecycle.
HVAC replacement at Marshfield High School, budgeted at $435,000 over four years, addresses failing air conditioning units for data closets. Miller explained these units need gradual replacement to ensure the district has funding available when failures occur.
The plan also includes $620,000 for eight special education passenger vans over two years. Miller reported that four or five current vans are over ten years old with more than 140,000 miles, spending excessive time and money on repairs. School Committee member Richard Greer questioned whether purchasing additional vans would provide return on investment, prompting discussion about potential cost savings from bringing transportation in-house versus contracting externally.
Phase two of ADA accessibility work at South River Elementary School remains on the list at $950,000, including installation of an elevator to address stair issues across three floors. Miller acknowledged this may be a difficult ask given the dollar value.
Elementary bathroom renovations across four schools totaling $3.2 million over four years round out the major projects. Miller indicated the district would likely request $55,000 for schematic design work as an initial step.
For fiscal year 2027 specifically, the original request totaled $4.6 million, but Miller explained that by downscaling the Daniel Webster roof project and the bathroom renovations, the actual ask to the town would be just under $1.2 million. “We did not receive any capital funding last year. We really received limited capital funding over the years, and this is the result,” Miller stated. “It’s a very hefty, full capital planning program there.”
Committee member Lara Brait confirmed this was the first year in Miller’s 18 or 19 years with the district that no capital funding was received. The plan for fiscal years 2028 through 2031 includes additional paving and curbing needs ($621,000), Governor Winslow roof restoration, Daniel Webster flooring with asbestos abatement, Martinson Auditorium rehabilitation ($128,000), and air conditioning expansion at Furnace Brook Middle School.
The committee voted 3-0-0 to approve the capital plan for submission to the town. Miller indicated he expects to meet with the Capital Budget Committee in December or January, though the town’s regular budget cycle is running behind schedule. The town must first establish how much non-excluded debt can be absorbed into the operating budget before capital requests are prioritized.
In related financial matters, Miller presented the committee with monthly financial reports for the first time in several years, a practice that was discontinued during the conversion to the Munis accounting system. The September report showed the district’s total appropriation at $60.24 million, with salaries representing $51.18 million and expenses totaling $9.06 million. This ratio reflects recent years of unfilled positions through attrition and increased expenses for utilities and transportation.
Miller expressed particular concern about the circuit breaker reserve fund, which carried over only $33,125 this year compared to nearly $2 million in previous years. Circuit breaker funding reimburses districts for high special education expenses but arrives in the following fiscal year. “Thirty-three thousand dollars is not good,” Miller said. “That’s about the time that you’d see us out.”
The district received over $2.5 million less in circuit breaker funding for fiscal 2025 compared to previous years, and the estimated fiscal 2026 amount remains at that reduced level. Miller’s revolving fund report showed the district has been drawing down healthy balances in school lunch ($1.8 million at the start of fiscal 2025), non-resident tuition ($500,000), and integrated preschool accounts to sustain the operating budget. The school lunch account decreased by nearly $500,000 last fiscal year.
“We can’t continue to do that, because then that’s going to put us not only a problem over here in revolving, but also a problem in operating,” Miller warned. The athletics revolving fund balance stands at zero after expenses had to be transferred to the operating budget.
In other business, the committee received an update on the outdoor learning classroom initiative at Eames Way School. Principal Kaitlin Bishop presented an enthusiastic proposal developed with significant student input through his monthly principal lunches. The existing outdoor classroom, which has fallen into disrepair, would be renovated and expanded based on student suggestions gathered across grades K-5.
Students proposed features ranging from sensory walks and gardens to seating areas and outdoor library spaces. Bishop showed video of students explaining why outdoor learning matters to them, with comments like “it’s good for the brain” and “if you’re having a little bit of a tough day, you could just step outside.” The school has scheduled a community cleanup for November 16th and plans to partner with Eames Way PTO on the project.
Bishop reported that Eames Way staff visited Steeples School to observe their outdoor learning spaces. School Committee member Caroline Ellis asked what stood out from that visit. “The sensory walk,” Bishop responded, describing a simple boardwalk featuring different textures like seashells, concrete, sand, gravel, smooth stone, tile, and rubber—particularly beneficial for primary students and those in the Multi-Age Learning Classroom (MALC) program.
The committee also heard from South Shore Educational Collaborative Executive Director Michael Losche, who requested approval to establish a capital reserve fund. This fund would protect member districts from being assessed for major building repairs or property purchases. Collaboratives cannot access Massachusetts School Building Authority funds, making such reserves critical for capital needs. School Committee members questioned the financial structure but ultimately voted unanimously to approve the establishment of the fund, which would be built from year-end surpluses when available.
In a significant development driven by state mandates, Assistant Superintendent Ellen Martin presented two new comprehensive policies required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The first establishes competency determination requirements for Marshfield High School following the elimination of MCAS as a graduation requirement. The detailed policy outlines how students must demonstrate competency through final assessments, capstone projects, or portfolios in each required course. It also addresses competency pathways for students with disabilities, English language learners, and late-enrolling transfer students, and includes an appeals process for students who graduated between 2003 and 2024 under the old MCAS requirement.
“DESE is asking us basically to develop a policy around competency determinations that outlines what exactly a student needs to do in order to show competency,” Martin explained. “We can’t just say that they’re passing the class. We have to say how do you know that they’re passing the class?” The policy must be submitted by December 31st.
The second policy Martin presented addresses middle school career pathways exploration, requiring the district to provide sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students with comprehensive information about career technical education programs and agricultural schools. The policy mandates school assemblies, campus tours during the school day, promotion of open houses, and opportunities for eighth graders to participate in admission interviews during school hours. The district must also develop a scope and sequence curriculum for grades 6-8 focused on career exploration.
Martin reported receiving the requirements in late September with an initial October 31st deadline, for which she requested an extension until December 31st. The state is also moving toward requiring all districts to use a platform called myCAP by the 2027-28 school year to track student career exploration activities. “We were told repeatedly when we asked in the information sessions if this particular myCAP platform was going to be required by our schools. We were repeatedly told no,” Martin said, expressing frustration that the requirement was announced just three weeks ago.
Greer raised concerns about the unfunded mandate. “They’re taking people away from the day jobs to be involved with this,” he said. “They’re mandating some platform that IT will have to support in some fashion whether it be helpdesk or otherwise, who’s going to be training for all the personnel to use this new system. Over time that adds hundreds of thousands of dollars. I don’t see a check coming into the desk to reinforce this.”
The committee heard from Marshfield Educators Association President Ben Raymond, who recognized the outstanding work of the Multi-Age Learning Classroom staff at Eames Way School. Raymond read a statement from MEA Secretary Michelle Simmons and EWS Building Representative Al Stetter praising teachers Jess Egglestrom, Allison Matthews, Anne Valcarra, Danielle Murphy, Liz Novak, and Kaylee Bell for building a “nurturing, student-centered environment that celebrates collaboration, empathy, and academic growth.” Raymond concluded by urging the committee to keep these dedicated staff members in mind as the district enters negotiations on successor contracts for teachers, nurses, tutors, and assistant principals this winter.
Two new student representatives introduced themselves to the committee. Senior Sophia Jensen, who helped start the high school’s unified programs and serves on the student council executive board, said she looks forward to serving as school committee representative. Junior Kylie Vima, returning for a second year, described herself as heavily involved in mock trial, volleyball, National Honor Society, and the high school scheduling committee. Both students offered positive feedback about the new Flex Block schedule, noting that while students initially had concerns, they have come to appreciate the flexibility for completing work and meeting with teachers.
Superintendent Sullivan provided several updates, including the launch of the first “Marshfield Belong Builders Award” presented to social worker Jan Ulari for creating an environment where students feel special and connected. Sullivan announced that the Wall of Honor nominations remain open until November 7th and highlighted the Golden Ribbon Awareness Club’s extraordinary fundraising effort of $11,780 for child cancer research. He also reported beginning meetings with senior students to gather feedback about their kindergarten through twelfth grade experience in Marshfield schools.
Sullivan sent a letter to all families updating them on changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), assuring families that despite benefit cuts, Massachusetts continues to honor free breakfast and lunch for all students. Assistant Superintendent Martin reported that the professional development day featured former Marshfield teacher and social worker Kerri Staff, a 1990 graduate, who delivered a well-received presentation on school culture and climate.
Director of Early Childhood Education Courtney Coutts announced that elementary assistant principals and special education staff attended a two-day training on “The Regulating Classroom,” an evidence-based, trauma-informed framework using connectors, activators, settlers, and affirmations to help educators and students co-regulate in the classroom. Coutts also reported that SEPAC hosted a well-attended presentation on technology on October 29th, with the next meeting scheduled for December 11th focusing on special education rights and organization strategies.
Miller provided a brief update on the Martinson Elementary School roof project, reporting that the Select Board voted Monday to schedule a debt exclusion vote for January 10th. The Massachusetts School Building Authority granted permission for the district to continue work through the bidding phase without a project funding agreement, ensuring the January 10th vote date will not delay the project. The MSBA grant maximum is $3,644,230, representing 49.31 percent of the project cost. The average annual cost for a home valued at $758,800 would start at $30.35 in year one, declining to $15.18 in year twenty, averaging $22.76 annually over twenty years.
Why It Matters
The approval of the five-year capital plan represents a critical juncture for Marshfield schools, as aging infrastructure, outdated technology, and security concerns converge with unprecedented funding challenges. The district’s failure to receive any capital funding in fiscal 2025 has created a backlog of urgent needs that directly impact student safety and learning conditions. Roof leaks at Daniel Webster Elementary, insecure doors at Eames Way School, and failing HVAC systems at the high school are not abstract concerns—they affect daily operations and the learning environment for Marshfield’s approximately 4,000 students. Parents and taxpayers face difficult decisions about how to balance immediate infrastructure needs with longer-term investments, all while the district navigates significant budget constraints reflected in the depleted circuit breaker reserve and drawn-down revolving accounts. The outcome of capital budget negotiations with town officials in the coming months will determine whether critical projects move forward or continue to deteriorate, potentially costing more to address in the future.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the establishment of a capital reserve fund for the South Shore Educational Collaborative. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:35:00)
Motion: To approve the fiscal year 2027-2031 capital budget plan as presented. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 3-0-0. (Timestamp: 0:54:00)
Public Comment
No members of the public spoke during the public participation segment. Marshfield Educators Association President Ben Raymond addressed the committee to recognize Multi-Age Learning Classroom staff at Eames Way School and remind the committee to keep dedicated staff in mind during upcoming contract negotiations.
What’s Next
The fiscal year 2027 capital budget request will be submitted to the town and presented to the Capital Budget Committee, likely in December or January. The community will vote on the Martinson Elementary School roof project debt exclusion on January 10, 2025. The high school competency determination policy and middle school career pathways policy will return for second readings and must be submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by December 31, 2024. The Eames Way School outdoor classroom community cleanup is scheduled for November 16th. The district will continue developing the scope and sequence for middle school career exploration and exploring the myCAP platform at a webinar on November 7th. Contract negotiations with the teachers union, nurses, tutors, and assistant principals will commence this winter.