Technology, Track Top Capital Projects List

South Kingstown's schools need to invest $290,000 in computers and track repairs next year to keep students on the cutting edge, officials said on Wednesday.

In a joint meeting with the Town Council, the School Committee presented its six-year capital project plan, which prioritizes equipment and maintenance needs, prompting Town Manager Stephen Alfred to ask for more detail on computer and hardware replacement schedule.

"Honestly, this is very minimal," said Supt. Kristen Stringfellow. “We’ve wiggled down to something that is the bare minimum to meet our needs. We want to avoid crashing an entire network or grouping.”

It will cost about $155,000 to update computer labs and infrastructure in 2013, and the district expects to pay about $1.15 million to keep up with advances in technology through 2018.

“Computers are on a seven-year replacement and I have tried to stretch that out a little by taking the high school and middle school computers down to the elementary schools where they still may be functional for that level,” John Ritchotte, director of administrative services for the schools.

Nearly all the school’s processors are bought used, he added, which cuts the price about in half.

“People need to understand that when we buy computers there is also infrastructure that goes with it – the laptop carts are more important than the computers, the WiFi,” said Kevin Jackson, committeeman. “It’s not just the laptop.”

With the help of $1.6 million from federal grant programs in the last year alone, each of South Kingstown’s schools is equipped with wireless internet and parents, students and teachers can manage grades and assignments online with the Parent Connect program.

“South Kingstown is one of the best networked school communities in the state,” said Jackson.

The deteriorating track at Curtis Corner Middle School is also slated for refurbishment next year. Officials said repairing the asphalt base and resurfacing the rubber topper could carry a price tag up to $135,000.

The rubber coating on the track was last resurfaced in 2003, according to Ritchotte. The coatings can last from three to five years and it costs about $85,000 for installation. Since the last resurfacing, wear and tear to the track ate through the rubber and last year crumbling to the asphalt base forced the athletic director to use program funds to replace a 15-foot section, he said.

“In a couple of years it could get to a point where we can’t have meets on it if we do not address the base,” said Ritchotte. “Our track does meet the requirements for sanctioned meets… and the track is used by the public a lot for both running and walking so it is under continuous use.”

Prior to 2009, school officials budgeted $1 million annually to keep up with aging technology and buildings. Stringfellow said a continued decline in state aid and federal grant programs has caused deterioration of that funding. The district now funds capital projects every other year.

Facilities expenses will be considerably less, officials predict needing about $355,000 spread over the next three years to maintain buildings.

“What we are really voting on is the priority of these projects and that the six-year plan has projects you think are appropriate,” said Alfred. “The dollar amounts may change.”

The Town Council will hold a Public Hearing to adopt the Town Manager's Proposed FY2012-2013 CIP on MONDAY, JANUARY 23rd at 7:30pm at the Town Hall, 180 High St., South Kingstown. Click HERE to go to the budget page.