The Middle School Building Committee meeting held on April 14, 2025, in Norwood, Massachusetts, focused on budget updates, technology purchases, and facility management as the new school building nears completion.

The meeting began with a review of the current budget status, which remains strong. Committee members discussed a wish list compiled from faculty and staff, prioritizing items that can be funded with excess funds from technology and furniture budgets. A significant milestone was achieved as the school committee voted to declare surplus items from the old building, which will be removed as part of the transition process.

A detailed transition schedule was presented, outlining responsibilities for various departments to ensure a smooth move to the new facility. The committee then reviewed several technology purchase orders, including Dell desktop computers for the computer lab, Chromebook charging stations, and microbits for the STEM classroom, totaling $110,608. All purchases were confirmed to be under budget, with a motion made and unanimously approved by the committee.

Further discussions included additional furniture and equipment purchases, such as display cases and AEDs, amounting to $68,766.36. The committee noted that these expenses would still keep them under budget overall.

An update on the digital services contract with Interval Data Systems (IDS) was also presented. The committee voted to extend IDS's services through the end of 2027 for ongoing monitoring of the building's automation systems, ensuring energy efficiency and performance. This extension was approved for a total of $82,500, with members expressing confidence in the value of having an independent party monitor the building's systems during the warranty phase.

Lastly, a change order was discussed regarding the installation of ice makers in refrigerators, which was necessary to meet updated specifications. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring the budget and project progress as the opening of the new middle school approaches.