The school committee voted April 9 to authorize a $29,000 appropriation from the district stabilization account to contract with MLP Integrated Design for preliminary educational-visioning work connected to the district’s middle/high school project.

Superintendent (name not specified) described the work as industry-standard early planning to develop an “education program” — the document that drives design options and cost modeling when the district later engages an owner’s project manager and design team in Module 2 of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process. Administration said early work by the district and MLP can reduce later design hours and save time and money in the paid feasibility study.

The appropriation will fund a small steering group’s visits to school sites, listening sessions and draft vision documents that will inform the MSBA-module feasibility study later this year. The administration said MSBA reimburses a portion (47.5%) of costs incurred in modules two and three, but pre‑module work is not reimbursable; the committee authorized the district to use stabilization funds for the early-stage work.

Motion: “Approve appropriation of $29,000 from the district stabilization account for the purpose of procuring a contract with MLP Integrated Designs for preliminary planning/visioning work for the middle/high school project.” The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Ending: Administration said it will convene a small steering group, conduct listening sessions over the summer and aim to submit required materials to MSBA for consideration at the fall board meeting.