Scituate Schools End Year Balanced, Eye Capital Projects
SCITUATE - Scituate school officials reported a balanced budget for the past fiscal year and outlined several major capital projects during the School Committee’s Aug. 25 meeting.
Director of Business and Finance Thomas Raab said the district ended Fiscal Year 2025 with a surplus of $483.33.
“The great news here is that not only did we end in the black, which I’m legally required to do, but we ended with $483 and 33 cents, which is awesome,” Raab said.
He credited savings in transportation and instructional lines, which allowed the district to make technology purchases and contribute to building upgrades. One example was a $50,000 payment to support the Jenkins Elementary window project, which also included new blinds.
Raab said the district has also secured long-term stability in energy costs. “We have locked in our electricity prices until 2029. That is only one penny per kilowatt hour more than we’re paying now,” he said. He added that natural gas rates are locked through 2030 at lower levels than current costs, providing “budget certainty through 2030 for gas and electric.”
On capital projects, Raab confirmed that the boys’ locker room renovation at Scituate High School is complete, marking the final phase of a three-part upgrade to athletic facilities.
Attention will now shift to the large gymnasium, with plans for a $1 million renovation that will include new flooring, bleachers, accessibility improvements and upgraded sound.
Committee Chair Nicole Brandolini emphasized the broader impact of the projects. “We want it to be sort of more of a community access space,” she said of the gymnasium renovation.
Plans also call for a new accessible playground at Wampatuck Elementary, with a preliminary cost estimate of $500,000. Raab said funding could be explored through multiple sources, including the Community Preservation Committee.
Looking ahead to 2027, preschool programs are scheduled to move into the new elementary school. At that time, existing preschool space at Wampatuck will be converted into standard classrooms. Raab said a facilities firm will provide sketches this year to prepare for the transition.
Other long-range items include future air conditioning work at Scituate High School, Jenkins Elementary floor replacement, and a possible Wampatuck roof project.