By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT — School officials, asked to suggest how to help the town spend $8.4 million in federal COVID-19 relief money, reviewed some ideas this week.

School administrators on Monday presented the Board of Education with a list of ideas for projects that fit the scope of grants allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act over the next two years. The suggestions are not included in the district’s regular capital budget proposal.

The list includes:

● Adding American Disabilities Act-accessible playground structures and equipment at each of the district’s K-5 playgrounds.

● Expansion of the limited playground equipment for the middle schools.

● Ropes courses for secondary schools to support team building and “social-emotional learning development.”

● Development of outdoor learning spaces at elementary and middle schools.

Approximate costs, based on discussions with potential vendors, have been assigned to each request. Together, the projects could cost up to $2 million, according to Anthony Buono, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

Buono said the ADA playground project would enhance, rather than replace, existing playground equipment and would cost between $100,000 and $200,000 at each school.

Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice said the plan would help provide students with disabilities with multiple options, as well as enabling them to participate near peers.

The ropes courses proposed for Staples could be integrated into physical education and team development leadership programs. The $63,000 cost would also include training for teachers to run the program.

Scarice said two elementary schools already were looking into the idea of outdoor classrooms before COVID-19 necessitated the need for more activities outside.

Buono said the idea behind the middle school playground equipment is to offer structures that would not only be physically and mentally challenging, but encourage middle school students to stay active.

Although the school board was encouraged by the Board of Finance to submit ideas, Chair Candice Savin wondered if it might be better to wait until the district has better estimates for costs of the proposals.

Scarice said the project costs could be scaled back.

Board member Lee Goldstein said it was unclear to her if it’s intended that the list include items the school district would really love to provide, but would never get funded in the regular budget.

“This has the feeling to me of Santa Claus,” Goldstein said.

Board member Liz Heyer wondered if the list shouldn’t include unfunded items among the school district’s capital projects list.

Asked if he had a top priority among the proposals, Scarice said he could make strong cases for any of them, and that there are other ideas for ARPA funding that did not make the list presented to the board.

Board member Jeannie Smith said there is at least one project she favors that isn’t on the list: proper bathrooms for outdoor sports at Staples that would match facilities she has seen at other towns in the region.

After discussing the ARPA proposals, board members reached consensus that they would fine-tune the list and vote later this month on final recommendations to the Board of Finance.