The Capital Outlay Committee meeting on February 5, 2025, focused on the school department's IT project proposal for fiscal year 2026. Representatives from the school department presented their request for funding to refresh two computer labs at the high school, emphasizing the importance of maintaining up-to-date technology for students.

The proposal includes the replacement of 21 iMac computers in the television media lab, which is a partnership with Norwood Community Media (NCM). The current equipment is seven to eight years old and has been previously funded by NCM. However, they have decided that the responsibility for future replacements should fall to the school district. The television media lab is crucial for students who engage in daily video editing and production.

Additionally, the proposal seeks to refresh the computer science lab, which utilizes Windows PCs for various computer science programs. This lab has recently become an integral part of the high school curriculum, making the upgrade essential for supporting students' educational pathways.

Originally, the refresh of the computer science lab was scheduled for fiscal year 2027, while the wireless access point upgrade was planned for fiscal year 2026. However, the school department decided to swap these projects due to a lack of expected e-rate funding for the wireless access points this cycle. The e-rate program typically provides a 60% discount on equipment, but the school district's budget for this funding has been depleted.

The committee's discussion highlighted the significance of keeping technology current in educational settings to enhance learning experiences for students. The next steps will involve further consideration of the proposal ahead of the Spring Town Meeting.