Rockland School Committee Approves $1.95 Million Capital Request for FY26
Electrical upgrades at Esten Elementary, IT needs among top priorities
ROCKLAND - January 13 - The Rockland School Committee has approved a $1.95 million capital request for fiscal year 2026, focusing on technology upgrades, facility improvements, and vehicle replacements across the district.
The request, presented at the committee's Jan. 13 meeting, includes $800,000 for electrical upgrades at Esten Elementary School.
"Esten was built in 1968, and many of the things that we need to do there for HVAC are we need to fix the electrical before we can do any of it," Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron explained. "We want to do splits over there to cool the building, but we can't do that because we don't have enough power yet."
Dr. Cron emphasized the urgency of the project, noting that costs continue to rise. "It's a scary number, but the sooner we do it, the cheaper it will be," he said.
The capital request also allocates $200,000 for Chromebooks and IT needs, covering approximately 400 Chromebooks at $385 each, plus additional unanticipated IT costs.
A significant portion of the request targets improvements at the middle school and high school complex, now 11 years old. This includes $450,000 for rooftop HVAC units, with plans to replace two of the 13 units approaching the end of their life cycle.
"On average, they're $225,000 each," explained Jane Hackett, Assistant Superintendent for Administration, Finance and Personnel. "We'll put in for two at the higher end, one for the middle school, one for the high school. And that way, if we had an event, at least we would have some heat within each building if something were to happen."
The request also includes $150,000 for a new HVAC management system at the middle school and high school. "It's both software and a problem identification management system," the Hackett said. "We think we can better control some of our trouble spots."
Other items in the capital request include:
- $100,000 for network protection upgrades
- $75,000 for an F-350 pickup truck to replace a 2008 vehicle
- $75,000 for the district's van lease program
The capital request will be presented to the town's capital planning committee for consideration. If approved, these items would be funded through free cash at the spring town meeting in April.
Committee members praised the district's proactive approach to maintenance and upgrades. They noted that while Esten Elementary is now the focus of major improvements, it had previously been lower on the priority list as the district invested in other schools.
"We didn't put money into Esten because we were busy putting money into Memorial Park and Jefferson," Chair Jill Maroney observed. "So now it's Esten's turn, sadly."
The committee also received updates on recently completed security upgrades across the district. Dr. Cron reported that vestibule projects, creating double-entry systems at school entrances, have been completed at all schools.
"When we built the Phelps school, one of the things that was sort of standard was what's called a double entry system. It keeps visitors out," Dr. Cron explained. "We wanted to bring them all up to speed. Now we've done that."
The superintendent emphasized the district's ongoing commitment to security, mentioning regular meetings of an emergency management committee that includes police, fire, and school officials.
"We work very, very hard at it," Dr. Cron said. "I do want the public to know how important security and safety is."
The capital request approval comes as the district prepares for the end of the second term on Jan. 23 for middle and high school students. The committee also noted that schools will be closed on Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.