By Linda Conner Lambeck
WESTPORT–At the same time the district is asking the town to fund a new set of capital projects for the 2026-27 fiscal year, a supplemental appropriation has been requested for projects already in the pipeline.
The school board, meeting last week, voted 7-0 to request an additional $19,590 from the Board of Finance to cover design costs for 14 projects that have already cleared the bidding process and another $217,555 for new projects.
Change in process
The supplemental request doesn’t represent a mistake but a change in process for projects that have received pre-approval from the town between 2024 and 2025, said Elio Longo, the district’s chief financial officer.
“In years past we would submit a best estimate (cost) to town funding bodies, then go out to bid. This is a reversal now where it actually goes out to bid, (then) having hard numbers, sending a request to town funding bodies,” Longo said.
The town pre-approved $195,620 in design costs for the 14 projects. Actual bids put the cost at $215,210.
Total price tag: $3.1 million
The 14 projects include an evaluation of HVAC systems at Kings Highway and a cooling tower replacement at Saugatuck Elementary among other things. The total price tag, when construction is added, will total $3.1 million.
Sometimes bids can come in less than projected, sometimes more, said Board Chair Lee Goldstein.
In this case, bids came in lower for three bundled projects and higher for two, one of which involved a broadening of scope of air handling units, pumps and valves for the Staples High School pool.
Five 2026 projects
The five new projects for 2026, with projected design costs expected to total $217,555, would cover cooling towers, air handling units and gas fired rooftop units Staples High School and its field house and at Greens Farms, an evaluation of its HVAC system, other mechanical work and roof repairs. The actual work to complete the projects is expected to cost close to $7 million.
Longo said he has been working with the town finance director to reformat the district’s 10-year Capital Plan, bundling some projects where appropriate, stating project outcomes and goals, as well as listing if alternate options exist to the planned work before presenting the package to the town.
10-year plan
The total 10-year Capital Plan includes about $65 million in projects including $15.5 million for Long Lots projects put on hold since the school is being replaced, Longo said. The on-hold list also includes paving work that will likely be managed by the town Department of Public Works.
“It’s a living document,” Longo said, suggesting changes are to be expected.
In addition to the funding request, the board gave unanimous approval to the updated Capital Improvement Plan and format.
The board was told design work on the 14 bid projects can be awarded as soon as November if town approval is secured.
Recent Westport Journal coverage of Westport schools
- Fifth grade scoring drop worries board
- Strong start for school year, but Scarice warns of “storm clouds”
- 2025 school report: enrollment, staff, buses, comms, security
- Daniel Cortright named Westport’s 2026 Teacher of the Year
Linda Conner Lambeck
Linda Conner Lambeck covers education for Westport Journal. She was a reporter for more than four decades at the Connecticut Post and other Hearst publications. She has covered education throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties. She is a proud member of the Education Writers Association.
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