By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT — Deemed largely in “very good condition,” the school district’s infrastructure needs nearly $1.9 million in work during the coming fiscal year.

That is the assessment of Colliers International, consultants that developed a five-year capital forecast for the Board of Education that officials say takes a holistic approach and prioritizes projects based on need and not only the price tag.

The capital projects list, as well as the school board’s recommended $130 million operating budget for 2022-23, are expected to be reviewed at a public hearing held Thursday by the Board of Finance.

The long-term capital list includes $95 million worth of systemwide projects, focused on asphalt, studies of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, moisture protection, a security evaluation, HVAC systems, power washing and more. 

Of that, about $21 million of projects are on hold as the fates of Long Lots Elementary School and, ultimately, Coleytown Elementary, are decided.

Likely to change over time, the capital list groups Westport’s eight schools into “buckets,” based on condition.

LEVEL 1

Classified in bucket 1, or in the best condition, are Coleytown Middle, where a $32 million renovation was completed last year after an extensive mold problem was uncovered, and Greens Farms Elementary School.

Even so, there are things to do at both schools, according to the survey.

At Coleytown, just over $28,000 is listed for siding repairs.

At Greens Farms, which Collier consultant Chuck Warrington called a gorgeous school inside and out, the only 2022-23 project is retro-commissioning the HVAC system. That means making sure the heating and air conditioning systems function as intended. Warrington said that could save energy down the line. Price tag: $25,000. Two years out, a hot water boiler may need to be replaced at the school.

LEVEL 2

In bucket 2 are Saugatuck and Kings Highway Elementary, Bedford Middle and Staples High schools.

All are deemed to be in overall fair to good condition, with some systems requiring further investigation and possible capital improvements.

At Saugatuck, slated to get a new roof this year, the plan calls for a holistic evaluation of mechanical systems in 2022-23, plus painting trim around all the windows. The overall cost for the new fiscal year would be $241,000. The following year, the forecast calls for cooling towers at the school to be replaced.

At Kings Highway, the $90,492 plan for 2022-23 includes work toward retro-conditioning the HVAC system, some painting, an evaluation of the gym entry on the west side, refurbishing an air-handling unit in the library and demolition of modular classrooms.

At Bedford Middle, there would be a holistic evaluation of the mechanical systems, replacement of insulated glass in the courtyard that Warrington said might not have been installed correctly and asphalt repair and replacement. The total cost in 2022-23: $741,277. The school board was also warned that by 2028 Bedford may need a new roof.

At Staples, which this summer or next is slated to get a $5 million roof replacement, the 2022-23 list includes new pumps, an evaluation of auditorium stage rigging and asphalt repair and replacement. Those costs are about $257,558. The following year, work would begin on replacing flooring in the field house and upgrading pool mechanics.

LEVEL 3

Coleytown Elementary School is in the third bucket. It is deemed to be in overall fair to poor condition, but functional.

The primary problem is the building’s age, according to Warrington. It was built in the 1950s.

Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice said Coleytown Elementary remains an appropriate learning environment and its problems are not as serious as those at Long Lots.

The school needs an in-depth evaluation of its mechanicals, roof, windows, doors and façade, similar to one undertaken at Long Lots, but for the moment that effort is on hold.

Coleytown is scheduled to get new portable classrooms this summer to handle an enrollment crunch and about $28,000 worth of exterior siding repairs in the coming fiscal year.

Warrington said the plan is to secure, not replace, flashing to prevent deterioration of the existing building while a long-term plan for the school is developed.

LEVEL 4

Long Lots Elementary is in fair to poor condition, according to the survey, and is the subject of complaints from building occupants and suffers from overall aging systems.

The school district has focused on what to do about Long Lots for several months, and a recommendation on whether to repair or replace the school could come by April. As such, all Long Lots projects in the capital forecast — $8 million worth of work through 2027-28 — are on hold until that decision is made.

That said, officials say things will be done to make the school a more comfortable environment.

In January, the board was told a full renovation of Long Lots, built in 1953 as a junior high school, could top $22 million. A price tag for the option of building a new school was not provided.

Standing on thick ice

Scarice last week described the overall capital plan as ambitious and dynamic, meaning it is likely to change. Still, he said the district is standing on “thick ice” cost-wise for at least the next couple of years.

Board Chairwoman Lee Goldstein called the plan reasonable.

“The idea is not just trying to prevent another Coleytown [Middle], but trying to bring facilities up to another standard … I would like to do that and I think this town would like to do that,” she said. 

Board member Robert Harrington said what the town’s Board of Finance wants is for the school board to stop surprise expenditures and be proactive.

Vice Chairwoman Liz Heyer said part of that effort has to include an analysis of capacity across the school district — to make sure existing space is used optimally — along with the facilities review.