Where it stands as of Wed, Jun 10
The Neary Elementary School roof replacement moved into construction over the summer of 2026 after competitive bids totaled approximately $2.8 million, well below the $4.5 million borrowing authorization approved by voters. Work was targeted to reach 85% to 90% completion before the start of school in late August. No subsequent updates or outstanding disputes have been brought before the School Committee this fall.
- For Southborough School Committee Supported proceeding with construction after combined bids came in approximately $1.7 million under the voter-approved $4.5 million budget.
Every time it came up newest first
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· Southborough School Committee
Relocation of Summer Extended Day Program
Due to construction on the Neary Elementary roof over the summer, the Southborough Extended Day Program (SEDP) summer program is relocating to Finn Elementary School. Administration noted that adjustments have been made to accommodate older children and all enrolled families have been informed.
- SEDP Summer Fun program relocated from Neary School to Finn School for the summer.
- Programming begins after the July 4 holiday.
Outcome: Relocation finalized.
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· Southborough School Committee
Neary School roof project update
The assistant superintendent presented results from the competitive bidding process for the Neary Elementary School roof replacement. Combined low bids totaled approximately $2.8 million, well below the $4.5 million appropriation approved at Town Meeting, with construction slated to begin in late June.
- Total low bids for general contracting and filed sub-bids (plumbing, HVAC, and electrical) totaled approximately $2.8 million.
- Voters previously authorized borrowing of up to $4.5 million for the project.
- A pre-construction meeting with the general contractor, subcontractors, and school administration is scheduled for Friday morning.
- Work is targeted to begin in late June, with 85% to 90% completion anticipated before school opens in late August.
- The district plans informational updates to incoming fourth- and fifth-grade families in mid-July and around August 1.
Outcome: Project moving into construction late June; contract includes a change order contingency reserve.
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· Southborough School Committee
Capital projects and Neary roof replacement timeline
Following voter approval at Annual Town Meeting and the town election for roof projects at Neary and Trottier schools, staff reviewed project timelines. Bids for the Neary roof project are due May 22, with approximately 8 to 10 contractors having attended the site visit. Contract award is anticipated around June 10, with construction scheduled to begin immediately following the end of the school year.
- Neary roof replacement bids are due on May 22.
- Eight to 10 contractors attended the pre-bid site walkthrough.
- The committee expects to award the bid at its June 10 meeting.
- Construction is targeted to start immediately after classes end in June.
Outcome: Bids due May 22; contract award expected at the June 10 meeting.
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· Southborough School Committee
Public outreach strategy for capital warrant articles
The committee discussed communication strategies to explain the Neary roof condition and related warrant articles to voters prior to Town Meeting. Members reviewed findings from a recent town survey of more than 630 respondents showing community preference for email newsletters, local news blogs, public forums, and municipal websites. Plans include hosting hybrid in-person and remote informational forums and coordinating directly with parent-teacher organizations.
- A recent town survey indicated residents rely most heavily on email alerts, local blogs, town websites, public forums, and social media for project information.
- The committee plans to conduct informational forums offering both in-person and Zoom attendance options.
- Outreach will include presentations to the Southborough Organization for Schools (SOS) parent groups.
- The school district is expanding outreach tools with a new district Facebook page and Instagram account.
Outcome: The committee will finalize dates for public forums and coordinate with parent-teacher groups once the Select Board finalizes warrant language.
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· Southborough School Committee
Special Town Meeting warrant strategy and ADA compliance triggers
The committee examined how to present Neary roof funding at the March 2 Special Town Meeting, specifically addressing the thresholds of the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB). Because the building's assessed value is approximately $12 million, spending more than 30 percent on capital work triggers mandatory full-building accessibility compliance, adding an estimated $2 million or more to project costs. A member of the Select Board joined to review article sequencing, free cash availability, and whether accessibility funding should be combined with the roof article or placed separately as an Article 5.
- Combined estimated costs for the roof replacement and triggered ADA accessibility compliance total approximately $6.5 million.
- Capital expenditures exceeding 30 percent of the facility's assessed value require bringing the entire building into compliance with modern MAAB and ADA standards.
- Town free cash was reported at approximately $3.5 million to $3.7 million, meaning large capital items would likely require borrowing rather than cash reserves.
- The committee discussed whether Article 1 should include schematic design funding for wider Neary renovations while moving forward with emergency roof replacement.
- The Select Board will review draft warrant language and order of operations at its February 3 meeting.
Outcome: Committee leadership will prepare proposed warrant language regarding roof replacement and ADA triggers to coordinate with the Select Board on February 3, 2026.
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· Southborough School Committee
Neary Elementary School roof assessment and replacement estimate
Engineering consultants from SOCOTEC presented findings from their structural evaluation of Neary Elementary School's 30-year-old, 63,000-square-foot roof. The roof is in active failure mode with roughly 8,000 linear feet of failed seams, extensive water intrusion, and approximately 22,000 square feet of insulation detached from the structural gypsum deck. The consultants advised against attempting further patch repairs or coatings, recommending immediate short-term stabilization with sandbags and polymer bars followed by a complete roof replacement.
- Approximately one-third (22,000 square feet) of the roof insulation has detached from the underlying gypsum deck, causing severe ponding and wind fluttering.
- A critical failure area over the gymnasium roof presents an active blow-off risk during heavy wind storms.
- Base construction cost for full replacement down to the deck is estimated at $3.7 million, rising to $4.0 million to $4.5 million with contingencies.
- Short-term stabilization measures including polymer bars and sandbags were recommended to secure loose membrane sections through the winter.
- A final detailed engineering report including all aerial and infrared imagery is scheduled for completion around February 13, 2026.
Outcome: The engineering team will provide district facilities staff with a placement map for immediate sandbag stabilization and deliver a final report by mid-February.
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· Southborough School Committee
Article 4: Neary School roof replacement and ADA upgrades
Administrators presented Article 4, which seeks authority to borrow up to $6,850,000 to replace the failing roof at Neary School and fund potential Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades. The roof is approximately 35 years old, one-third detached from underlying insulation, and suffering water intrusion. If Article 1 passes, the $2,100,000 estimated for ADA upgrades would be rolled into the broader renovation study, reducing the roof borrowing request to $4,500,000.
- Article 4 authorizes borrowing up to $6,850,000, including $4,500,000 for the roof and $2,100,000 for potential mandated ADA upgrades.
- If Article 1 passes, the ADA funding will be removed, reducing the borrowing request to $4,500,000.
- Passage requires a two-thirds vote at Special Town Meeting on March 2 and a majority vote at the town election ballot on May 12, 2026.
- Engineering consultant SoCoTec found approximately one-third of the roof membrane is detached, creating significant risk in high winds.
- Construction is targeted to begin July 1, 2026, with the most disruptive work scheduled during summer vacation.
Outcome: Article 4 heads to Special Town Meeting on March 2, 2026, and to the town ballot on May 12, 2026.