Middle school roof to be replaced under the school bond

What happened

An architect from Studio JAED told the School Committee that the roof at Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School is nearing the end of its useful life, and presented a schematic design for replacing it. A properly maintained new roof is expected to last more than 40 years. The committee approved the schematic design and, at the same meeting, the lower of two bids for HVAC units being submitted to the state education department's design review portal. A member said he expected the costs to stay within the bond the town has already approved.

Why it matters to families

A failing roof is the kind of problem that gets expensive if it is left, and this is the largest building project on the district's public record this year.

The evidence

The February 12, 2026 approved minutes record Tracy Donnelly of Studio JAED presenting the existing roof conditions, stating the roof is nearing the end of its useful life and that a new roof is expected to have a life expectancy of 40+ years, and a 5-0 vote approving the schematic design, followed by a 5-0 vote approving HVAC units for the state design portal. The chair clarified that the Building Committee is reviewing estimates rather than formal bids. The cost estimate discussed at the meeting is not recorded in the minutes.

The source