Darien awarded $1,590,127 DRIP grant; board to approve LED, vision kits and chimney repairs

Facilities staff reported that Connecticut's new DRIP (District Repair Improvement Project) grant program awarded Darien $1,590,127 and presented recommended uses that the board of education must approve.

Facilities staff said the DRIP funds are limited to minor repair and capital-improvement work. The recommended items for Darien are districtwide LED lighting upgrades, installation of vision kits for solid doors in some classrooms and chimney repointing at Middlesex Middle School to address deterioration from heavy winter snow loads.

Staff asked the committee to recommend approval to the full board so the minutes can be sent to the state and the amount placed on the consent agenda. Facilities staff noted some portions of the LED work at the high school have been completed and this grant would expand that work districtwide.

The committee offered clarifying questions about prior chimney work and the scope of LED installations; staff said portions of the high school lighting were already addressed and this grant would allow expansion. The item was slated to move to the consent agenda for board approval.

Next steps: committee recommended approval and directed staff to forward minutes and the request to the full board.