$400,000 for temporary playgrounds while two elementary schools are rebuilt

What happened

The School Committee voted to move $400,000 out of the capital reserve fund to give Sowams and Primrose Hill children somewhere to play during construction. The money splits into $140,000 of playground equipment and $40,000 of swings for each school plus $20,000 at each school to move existing equipment. Parents had raised the loss of safe outdoor play areas and gym space with the committee since the project was first presented in September 2025.

Why it matters to families

Recess is part of the school day. Without this the two schools being rebuilt would have had construction fencing where the playground used to be.

The evidence

The June 11, 2026 approved minutes record a 4-0 vote moving $400,000 from the capital reserve account with the itemised allocation of $20,000 relocation and $140,000 playground equipment and $40,000 swings for each of Sowams and Primrose Hill, following a presentation of five temporary playground options. The September 30, 2025 joint minutes record a resident raising the availability of safe outdoor play areas and gym space during construction.

The source