The Dartmouth School Committee has shifted focus to necessary improvements for 2018-2022. Big ticket items include a $1.4 million renovation of Memorial Stadium, $200,000 for technology upgrades, and $175,000 for updated playgrounds.

At the December 12 School Committee meeting, School Business Administrator James Kiely identified several big projects for the upcoming years in a draft of the district’s Capital Improvement Plan, 2018-2022. The largest item on the 2018 agenda is a proposal to install a synthetic turf field and overhaul lighting at Memorial Stadium.

Committee members brainstormed a number of ways to tackle the project, including soliciting private funding through donations, and partnering with other town departments to help cover the cost of what several members agreed is a community resource instead of a school resource.

The draft plans also include $240,000 to retrofit and replace a boiler at Dartmouth High, and convert the school from oil to natural gas. The new boiler would be energy efficient, and the move to natural gas could make the school eligible for rebates from Eversource, said school officials.

Other items for 2018 include $170,000 to replace interior and exterior doors at several schools. Kiely’s report noted that some of the doors targeted for replacement are original to their respective schools and do not function properly.

The proposal also calls for $200,000 in technology upgrades, which alines with the district's typical yearly request, Kiely said. The funds will be used to upgrade or replace computers and printers, scanners, cameras, servers, and electronic whiteboards.

Also on the agenda is a $175,000 multi-year project to improve playgrounds at elementary schools. Elementary school playgrounds will require paving, fencing, loam, grading, and seeding, according to Kiely’s report. Some playgrounds might require the installation of new drainage systems. Paving of the DeMello Elementary and Potter School playgrounds is also included in the project.

The district will also seek $100,000 to replace classroom furniture due to wear and tear, and $150,000 for continued flooring replacement at DeMello, Potter, and Dartmouth Middle School, targeting asbestos-containing flooring.

For 2019, officials want to expand the district's preschool program to ensure equal access throughout the town. Right now, the district is awaiting the results of a facilities master plan before discussing it. The plan will examine all of Dartmouth’s school buildings and needs, and is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

Kiely will be working to prioritize the list of capital improvement items, which he anticipates will be completed by the January meeting.