Above: A look at the updated timing for the roof project and potentially bigger project at Neary School (images from past presentation materials and recent meeting video)
Since I last posted about Neary School’s roof replacement and the plan for addressing other issues with the elementary school building, both timelines have been delayed.
I’m updating readers on the latest plans.
I recently reached out to the Northborough-Southborough Public Schools’ administration to learn how the replacement of Neary School’s roof is going. I learned that the project start was delayed and work will overlap the start of the school year.
NSBORO Schools Asst Superintendent Keith Lavoie’s message expresses confidence that the project won’t cause problems for incoming students.
Since I was sharing that news, I wanted to also check on the status of the work of the Elementary School Building Committee, overseeing the studies of addressing other issues with the school building. I learned that the timeline for that work has also shifted.
When the consultant was bidding for the project in the spring, the timeline presented was targeting a Special Town Meeting this fall for bringing voters a funding request (or choices). That’s no longer in the plans.
Scroll down for more details on the updated plan. But first. . .
Neary School Roof Replacement Update
Here’s the message that Lavoie provided to share with readers on the status of the school roof:
Due to supply chain delays, the roof replacement project has been pushed to the week of August 17, 2026. Prior to construction beginning, materials and equipment will be delivered to the Neary School campus. As a result, a portion of the project will continue after the start of the school year.
We understand that families may have questions about what the ongoing construction means for students and the opening of school. We remain confident that Neary is on track for a safe, welcoming, and successful opening on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.At this time, we do not anticipate any significant disruption to the school’s daily operations. Should any adjustments become necessary, families will be notified in advance.
Throughout the project, the District and its contractors will maintain secure construction areas that are separated from students, staff, and visitors. District staff is working closely with the project team to minimize disruptions to teaching and learning while ensuring the work is completed safely. The safety of our students and staff will remain our highest priority throughout the project.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Questions related to the roof replacement project may be directed to Keith Lavoie, Assistant Superintendent of Operations. Questions about the student experience may be directed to Tom Millett, Principal of the Neary School.
In March, Special Town Meeting voters approved the spending to replace Neary School’s failing roof. The badly needed project was originally slated to be completed over summer break.
The replacement of Trottier Middle School’s roof, also approved by voters this past spring, was scheduled for the 2027 summer break. (And I assume it still is at this point.)
Neary Building Renovation Study
At the same meeting in which voters approved replacing Neary’s roof, they also approved spending on a study to look at two options for addressing problems with Neary’s aging and outdated building.
One would be a renovation to modernize the building. The other option would explore the minimum cost options for extending the life of the building by addressing a smaller number of issues (mainly those legally required and ones deemed critical for safety reasons).
At a June 17th meeting, consultants cautioned the Elementary School Building Committee against trying to bring an Article to Special Town Meeting this October.
Tappé Architects’ CEO Chris Blessen told members that the timing was tight to “comprehensively produce something that the town can rely on and feel like it wasn’t too rushed”. He warned that the public “could get whiplash really easy” resulting in instant “No” votes.
Instead, Tappé will work with the committee on an update to bring to voters at the Fall Town Meeting. Any Articles asking voters to spend money will be tabled until spring.
Depending on the size or complexity of the ask, the Select Board could decide it’s better to schedule a dedicated spring Special Town Meeting. But the consultant assumed they would target Annual Town Meeting.
An updated timeline (right) presented at the July 8th meeting, lists April as the Town Meeting date. But Tappé was informed that the ATM is actually scheduled for March 20, 2027. And Blessen noted that they wouldn’t need as long as April to be ready.
This summer, Tappé planned to work with the NSBORO administration to make sure the information they have on the educational plan is still accurate. They also planned to have their engineers looking at options.
The committee scheduled their next meeting for this Wednesday, August 5th. Subsequent meetings were scheduled for Wednesday, August 19th and Thursday, September 3rd.
No minutes have been posted for the committee’s meetings yet, but you can watch the videos here.
