District review finds accessibility gaps; 10-year ADA transition plan with $637K–$2.8M estimate presented

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Reese told the North Middlesex School Committee that a consultant team (Direct Access, division of Matrix Design Group) completed an ADA self-evaluation and produced a 10-year transition plan funded initially by a $60,000 Commonwealth grant.

"They reviewed 270 policies and made recommendations to 97," Dr. Reese said, and added that the team surveyed staff, families and community members and conducted site visits during April vacation. The consultants identified recurring facility needs and policy clarifications; their cost-range estimates for remedial work start at about $637,000, reach a high of about $2,800,000 and put the average near the figure shown in the report. Dr. Reese said the district has applied for a follow-on ADA improvement grant of $250,000 and expects to hear in the fall.

Dr. Reese asked that the committee refer the ADA policy report to the policy subcommittee and direct building leadership to draft a 10-year ADA capital improvement plan for finance committee review. "We'd want our building leadership to come up with a proposed 10-year draft plan," he said. Committee members pressed for clarity on priorities, outside expertise for playground-specific ADA evaluations, and how expenditures would be phased and funded. The committee agreed to add the report to subcommittee review and to return later with a draft capital plan.