# School Committee Meeting - November 2nd, 2026 | Westford, MA

The Westford School Committee’s November 2, 2026 meeting included significant capital-project and budget updates. The Robinson School Building Committee reported that it unanimously selected the Abbott site for further study and is comparing renovation, new construction, and office-space options; updated cost estimates and community feedback are planned before selecting a preferred option in early 2027. The facilities director reported a $400,000 town-capital allocation for the Blanchard wastewater plant roof and HVAC work, supplemented by a $108,006.76 decarbonization grant, and said the town finalized a contract with Ameresco for solar installations at Blanchard and the Cameron Senior Center. Other updates included a $600,000 stabilization project at 30 Beacon Street, a $100,000 Robinson generator approved at special town meeting, and completed replacement of a Miller fire-alarm panel for $28,000. Upcoming capital requests include an estimated $1.08 million for Blanchard parking and walkways, a $50,000 electric facilities vehicle, and urgent Westford Academy HVAC and building-management-system work, for which a cost proposal was expected; the committee had not voted on these requests. The Academy HVAC approach—including heat pumps versus like-for-like replacement and a performance contract versus a traditional bid—remains under review. Food service also purchased a cooler and freezer for Westford Academy for $105,000. The finance subcommittee plans to bring a procurement-policy update to a future business meeting.

The finance director presented the FY2027 first-quarter report: the operating budget is $71.491 million, with 94.2% projected as spent or encumbered, and identified pressures involving special-education contracted services, transportation, heating, and out-of-district tuition. The report noted a projected reduction in special-education contracted-service spending after staffing changes, while emphasizing continued monitoring. The committee also received an MCAS and accountability presentation, with discussion focused on writing performance, outcomes for high-needs students, and chronic absenteeism; administrators described further data analysis and instructional review as next steps. The consent agenda was approved, and the meeting adjourned; no new capital request or contract award was approved during the meeting.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 02, 2026

### Sources
- [School Committee Meeting - November 2nd, 2026 | Westford, MA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y2Se_W8VMI) - WestfordCAT