The replacement of a large majority of windows at the Swampscott Middle School is the top priority among 20 capital improvement projects the school district is seeking, as May’s annual Town Meeting approaches.

“We’ve been waiting on the windows for a really long time,” Swampscott Public Schools Facilities Director Max Kasper said. “It’s gotten to a point where it’s out of control.”

Kasper presented the prioritized list to the Capital Improvement Committee on Monday, January 12. Kasper estimated the cost of planning and installing new windows to be about $1.8 million. Capital Improvement Committee Member Rupindeer Sembhi cautioned that the project could ultimately cost more and emphasized the need for a thorough study.

“We need to keep advancing this window project at this point,” Kasper said. “It would be irresponsible not to.”

Superintendent Jason Calichman said some middle school classrooms experience water intrusion following rain or snowstorms.

“Water infiltration is something we are always concerned about,” Kasper said, adding that the exact type of replacement windows is still under discussion. 

A design firm has already been selected, and the district hopes to secure approval for the project at Town Meeting. The project would primarily involve replacing classroom windows that open, Kasper said.

Sembhi raised concerns about the potential presence of hazardous materials during the replacement process. Kasper said that possibility is being taken into account as part of the planning.

Sembhi also questioned whether the district should wait, given the possibility of a future middle school rebuild.

“We really don’t know if the town has an appetite for a new school yet,” Calichman said.

Kasper said rot and leaks in some areas of the building have become insurmountable. If approved, construction would take place during the summer of 2027.

Among the other proposed projects is $100,000 for internet network upgrades. Technical Director Lytania Mackey Knowles said the improvements would allow students in all three district schools to be online simultaneously if needed. The funding would also help keep the network up-to-date and support continued innovation, Knowles said.

The district is also seeking $200,000 to upgrade technology in the gymnasiums at both the middle school and high school. The upgrades would make it easier to rent out the gyms for events and to hold school-wide meetings and assemblies.

Altogether, the 20-item capital improvement list carries an estimated cost of $6.6 million.

Capital Improvement Committee Chair Ryan Hale said it would be premature for the committee to vote at this stage on which requests should be included on the Town Meeting warrant.

The Capital Improvement Committee will meet again Thursday, January 15, at 4 p.m. to continue discussions on requests for fiscal year 2027.