New High School Supply Bids Total $2.7 Million

The Natick School Committee voted Thursday night to approve bids for furniture and other supplies that will be placed in the new high school. The total cost of the items turned out to be roughly $2.7 million, nearly $522,000 less than originally anticipated.

School Finance Director William Hurley said the administration knew finding items at the right price would be a challenge, especially in replacing the old science and music equipment, but the schools are happy with the savings.

"We'll be opening up the building with beautiful furniture and beautiful equipment that the students and staff of Natick deserve," said Hurley.

"It allows us to put back into the items that we had taken out originally and I think that serves the school very well," said School Committee member Dirk Coburn.

Member Anne Blanchard said the list, which includes 700 categories of items, is "reasonable."

"I think this is a good outcome given the painful looking cuts we were pondering," added member David Margil.

And here are the numbers:

Estimated costs: $3,226,577

Bid results as of April 3: $2,704,589

Bid savings: $521, 988

Bid by Category

Classroom furnishings: $1,320,386

Library furnishings: $180,815

Furnishings: $34,459

Industrial arts: $122,989

Art department: $16,348

Science equipment: $413,743

Family and consumer science: $9,478

Gym and wellness center: $261,378

Audio/visual: $19,279

General office equipment: $14,818

Medical equipment: $21,637

Custodial: $90,029

Funding from:

MSBA budget: $1,900,000

Transfer from photovoltaic: $420,463

Transfer from technology: $384,126