At the most recent Board of Education meeting, Matt Premo of Findorff Construction shared an exciting update on the progress of our $27 million facilities referendum. Thanks to the overwhelming support of our community last November, we are now transitioning from the design and planning phases into the start of construction.
Over the past several months, our team, working closely with construction and design professionals, has focused on developing plans that address the most urgent needs in our schools. Our goals remain clear: protect our community’s investment, improve safety and security, and ensure our facilities support student learning well into the future.
This summer marks the beginning of heavy construction work. These projects are the result of extensive planning and competitive bidding. In total, more than 250 bid invitations were sent out, and over 50 bids were received, including strong participation from local contractors. Our aim was to secure high-quality work from partners capable of completing the scope on schedule.
Here are some of the highlights of the work scheduled to begin in the coming weeks:
Middle and High School Plumbing Replacement & Mold Mitigation (Estimated $1.4 million)
District-Wide Plumbing Equipment Replacement – including hot water heaters and pumps (Estimated $190,000)
Middle and High School Locker Room Renovations to address outdated systems and student needs (Estimated $2 million)
Secure Entrances at All Schools to enhance building safety (Estimated $1.1 million)
Energy-Efficient Corridor Lighting at the Middle and High School (Estimated $225,000)
Roof Replacements at Oxford Elementary and Westfield High School (Estimated $1.3 million)
HVAC System Improvements at the Middle School – two new rooftop units for better efficiency (Estimated $180,000)
New Bus Communication Equipment – replacing radios and cameras to improve transportation safety (Estimated $115,000)
Interior Finish Updates – including flooring, ceilings, windows, and plumbing fixtures (Estimated $1 million)
Construction schedule :
High School / Middle School
May 27: Bathroom renovations began
June 2: Locker room work begins
June 9: Full building construction begins
Coloma Elementary
Westfield Elementary
Oxford Elementary
This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you a snapshot of the high-priority work we are tackling first. These upgrades reflect the priorities shared with us during community engagement sessions and are rooted in making sure our facilities are safe, efficient, and built to serve students for decades to come.
While heavy construction will take place this summer and again in the summer of 2026, minor work will continue throughout 2025-26. We are committed to minimizing disruption to learning while maintaining progress.
On behalf of our entire district, I want to again thank our community for the trust and support you have placed in us. Your investment is helping create safer, stronger schools. I look forward to sharing continued updates as we move forward.
Sincerely,
Michelle Johnson
District Administrator
School District of Westfield
