Public schools to see upgrades, maintenance work this summer

This summer, Dartmouth Public Schools is working on several maintenance and improvement projects before the 2026-27 school year begins in September.

James Kiely, the assistant superintendent of finance operations, reviewed some of the projects at a School Committee meeting on Monday, July 20.

At Dartmouth High School, this includes working on the design of the building's new roof with a representative from the Massachusetts School, installing energy efficient lighting, repairing the parking lot and either trimming trees or cutting down ones that are dead.

At the Cushman School, the largest project will be pressure washing the front of the building.

Kiely noted that the building's front is "not the greatest look or first impression in its current state."

At the DeMello School, the district is completing bathroom upgrades, installing energy effiencient lighting, making some playground repairs and completing HVAC work.

Work at the Potter School will look similar to DeMello, with bathroom upgrades, playground improvements, painting and HVAC work.

Kiely said that at the Quinn School there are some "pretty major projects going on as we speak."

This includes most notably replacing the flooring throughout the building and modernizing the HVAC controls, which Kiely said "is pretty antiquated."

All of the buildings will be undergoing the routine and preventative maintenance work, including making sure all systems are in good shape for the start of the school year and cleaning the buildings throughout the summer.

Kiely thanked the district's facilities team and custodians for their hardwork so far this summer, noting that with more than a month left in summer break, "we'll be all set and ready for kids."