Rockland School Committee Slashes Capital Request by 88%
District works with town to find alternative funding for critical HVAC and lighting projects
ROCKLAND - February 24 - The Rockland School Committee has dramatically reduced its capital request from $1.95 million to $230,000, representing an 88% decrease as officials work collaboratively with the town to explore alternative funding sources for critical infrastructure projects.
Assistant Superintendent for Administration, Finance and Personnel Jane Hackett presented the revised capital plan at Monday's School Committee meeting, explaining the significant adjustments made after discussions with town officials and department heads.
"We've had further meetings with the town and with Mark Shum from maintenance and Tim Wells from the IT department. And we're making adjustments to what's headed as the 2325 free cash request," Hackett said.
Two critical projects – HVAC controllers and software for the middle and high schools, along with lighting upgrades – have been removed from the immediate funding request as the town explores grant opportunities through MassSave.
"These two are critical things that need to be done, but we're looking at alternative funding sources," Hackett explained.
Despite being removed from the immediate capital request, Hackett emphasized the urgency of these systems, particularly the HVAC controllers.
"The software is starting to get a little bit quirky on our heating, and programming our heating systems has become a little bit more problematic," she said. "We're having to come back in on weekends and times off to make corrections to the heating system, manually override the heating system."
Similar issues plague the lighting systems at both schools, requiring staff to return during off-hours to override malfunctioning automated controls.
The district is also working with town officials to potentially combine the high school and middle school rooftop HVAC project and the Esten School electrical upgrade with planned town hall improvements. This approach could allow them to go out to bid collectively, potentially reducing costs.
Another significant change involves replacing a previously requested $80,000 F350 pickup truck with a $30,000 sidewalk plow machine and a $10,000 sander attachment for an existing vehicle.
"We all experienced what we experienced the last few weeks," Hackett said, referring to recent winter weather challenges. The new equipment will address safety concerns at the Phelps School, where existing equipment cannot navigate between security barriers, creating hazardous conditions.
The district also reduced its technology request from $200,000 to $100,000 for Chromebooks and IT needs after determining they could extend the life of current devices.
"We are getting a little additional end-of-life utilization out of our Chromebooks this year. So we're hopeful that that's going to be able to carry us through," Hackett said.
The $90,000 lease agreement for vans remains unchanged from the previous request.
Committee members praised the collaborative approach with town officials. Dr. Melissa Mauro-Small commented, "It seems like there's a lot of collaboration with the town, and just thank you to everybody on our side and on their side for doing that."
Chair Jill Maroney agreed, noting, "I think that it's impressive that we try to work with the town and that we do believe that this is one town and it's one pie, and we all need to get along so that we all get part of the money and not just one side or the other. It is interesting that we handle it like adults."
No formal vote was required on the revised capital request since it represents a reduction from the previously voted amount. Hackett indicated further discussion would likely occur during the upcoming FY26 budget public hearing.
In other business, the School Committee:
• Approved eight new fundraisers, including a mattress sale for the High School Boosters on March 22 and a Harlem Wizards basketball game on March 26 featuring the Wizards playing against Rockland Public Schools staff
• Unanimously approved an updated bullying policy reflecting recent legislative changes and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements
• Heard Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron's report on winter sports teams and his tribute to recently deceased State Representative Carol Dougherty, whom he praised as an exemplary public servant
• Received a public health reminder from Dr. Mauro-Small, a pediatrician, about the prevalence of flu and other illnesses, encouraging vaccination, hand washing, and keeping sick children home
The next School Committee meeting will include the FY26 budget public hearing, where capital requests will be discussed further.