Advisory Panel Rejects Early AC Funding Push
Wellesley's Advisory Committee rejected a citizens' petition to front-load free cash for school air conditioning.
Advisory Committee · Meeting of October 14, 2026
Wellesley's Advisory Committee rejected a citizens' petition to front-load free cash for school air conditioning. The committee voted 8-6 against $4.4 million for Bates and Fisk and split 7-7 on $3.4 million for Schofield, with Chair Madison Riley breaking the tie against, for a final 8-7 unfavorable recommendation. It separately backed the School Committee's slower path, voting 13-1 for $1,423,400 in AC design funding and 10-4 for an added $170,200 to accelerate Bates and Fisk design.
Lead petitioner Kelly Norris argued "if there was or wasn't an Article 15, it's the same" project, just funded sooner. Member Jay Bock countered, "Yes, we could do it, but should we do it?" The committee also voted 9-5 to endorse a non-binding resolution setting AC completion targets of summer 2027 for Bates and Fisk and summer 2028 for Schofield.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,456 words
Source: the Advisory Committee meeting of October 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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