Arlington School District Board of Directors voted to approve a contract with McGranahan PBK Architects for architectural and engineering services tied to projects funded by the district’s 2024 capital levy, and the board adopted several policies on first or second reading, the board announced at its meeting.

The McGranahan contract covers multiple facility projects funded by the 2024 capital levy across district sites, and the board adopted policy updates and new/adopted policies including an opioid-related overdose reversal policy, procedures on employment and volunteer disclosures, insurance policy updates and several transportation, facilities and project-acceptance policies.

Why it matters: The McGranahan contract directs capital-levy money to roofing, paving, kitchen equipment, ramps, interior work and other improvements at many schools and district facilities. The policy adoptions include a districtwide directive to carry and make available opioid-overdose reversal medication and updates to transportation and project-closing procedures — changes that affect safety, maintenance and day-to-day operations.

Votes at a glance

- McGranahan PBK Architects contract (architectural and engineering services for 2024 capital levy projects). Motion: to approve the contract with McGranahan Architects for the capital projects funded by the 2024 capital levy. Mover: Director Watts. Second: Director Kelly. Student advisers provided advisory yes votes (Dasia and Nathan). Recorded roll call included Director Kelly (Aye); Director Watts (Aye); President Malueg (Aye); Eric Knapp (Yes). Motion passed and the contract was approved as presented. (See provenance: staff presentation and board vote discussion.)

- Policy 3424, opioid-related overdose reversal (Narcan). Motion to adopt passed on second reading. Recorded roll call: Director Kelly (Yes); Director Watts (Aye); President LeVitt (Aye); Director Mab (Yes). Motion adopted.

- Policy 5,005, Employment and volunteers disclosure, certification, requirements, assurances and approval. Motion to adopt passed on second reading; recorded roll call included Director Kelly (Aye); Director Watts (Yes); President Nemec (Yes); Director Natt (Yes). Motion adopted.

- Policy 6530, insurance (second reading/adoption). Motion to adopt passed; recorded roll call included Director Kelly (Yes); Director Watts (Yes); President Lavette (Yes); Director Nann (Yes). Motion adopted.

- Policy 6690, contracting for transportation services (second reading/adoption). Motion to adopt passed; recorded roll call included Director Kelly (Aye); Director Watts (Aye); President Zinnick (Aye); Director Knapp (Yes). Motion adopted.

- Policy 6959, acceptance of completed project (second reading/adoption). Motion to adopt passed; recorded roll call included Director Kelly (Aye); Director Lotz (Aye); President (recorded as "of the Met" in transcript) (Aye). Motion adopted.

What the contract covers (selected items enumerated in staff presentation): roofing and gutters at Arlington High School; district office painting and plumbing/ceilings work; flooring, interior walls and intercom work at Eagle Creek; chimney and utilities at French House; kitchen equipment, ductwork and plumbing at Presidents Elementary; new ramps and restroom work at SVLC; roofing, paving and stormwater work at transportation; paving and roofing at Weston High School; and other site-specific repairs and accessibility work across the district. (Staff provided the full project list during the capital levy contract presentation.)

Student advisers’ advisory votes

Student adviser Dasia said she would vote yes on the McGranahan contract and said the funds should be used to maintain and improve school buildings so they remain safe and usable. Student adviser Nathan also said he would vote yes and described the projects as necessary for student and staff safety.

Authority and next steps

The McGranahan contract is a district contract funded by the 2024 capital levy; the board’s action authorizes staff to proceed with architect/engineering services and move into design and procurement for the listed projects. Several policies adopted on second reading take immediate effect as board policy updates. Staff will implement project planning and report back as capital-levy projects proceed.

Ending note: The district’s student advisers were invited to give advisory votes on the capital projects contract; those advisers recommended approval. The board scheduled follow-up work as the district moves into project design and procurement.