Wellesley Public Schools: Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
FF&E is not distributed evenly, rather it is based on the prioritization of needs that have been identified by each building principal. When there is an associated cost related to installation (plumbing or electrical), a quote is sought from the Facilities Management Department and included in the overall cost projection in the budget request. $0 / $50,000 This category funds investments in the general operational items for programs that have a life cycle but are not “consumables” requiring annual replacement. With limited cash capital funds, we propose covering the cost of the proposed items out of Revolving Funds. In addition, we recommend using the Building Rental Revolving Fund for the following: Furniture/Fixtures and Equipment
• Auditorium repairs; and • Emergency equipment replacements.
Technology Capital $1,299,481 The WPS Director of Educational Technology and the IT Operations Manager, with the support of other members of the Technology Department and collaboration with Department Heads across the district, develop and manage a five-year capital plan with the goal of forecasting expenditures and stabilizing expenses in future spending years as we replace our current technology when it reaches the end of its usable life. The previous Instructional Technology Plan, Wellesley Tech Plan 2020, was developed by a committee of stakeholders including technology staff, teachers, parents, and community members who work in technology fields. A new technology plan is now being developed in support of the WPS Strategic Plan. The global pandemic continues to have an impact on capital technology. During the pandemic, the district moved to a 1:1 device model for preschool through grade 2 and supplied all Teaching Assistants with a device to help the classroom teacher, adding to the already existing 1:1 program in grades 3-12. The district utilized capital funds and COVID-related grant funds to purchase the new 1:1 devices in the summer of 2020. While the preschool has since shifted from a 1:1 model to a shared set for each classroom, we are still providing Teaching Assistants with devices. Also, due to the reprioritization of funds during the pandemic, we had to defer several of our planned replacements when devices, such as printers, network infrastructure, interactive screens, and security servers, reached the end of their lifespan. We are now faced with those expenditure delays. Additionally, we extended the usable life for iPads and computers to spread the cost out over several years. During the pandemic, teachers adopted new technology out of necessity to teach remotely and concurrently, and these tools are now being used routinely in classrooms to enhance instruction, improve accessibility, create opportunities for student engagement, document student learning, assess student understanding, and provide quality feedback. Students in grades K-5 are using iPads in their classrooms in a highly supervised mode, learning technology norms and best practices through their homeroom teachers and specialists. These devices are district-owned, financed, and managed. Middle school students are using iPads as they move from class to class throughout their school day, as well as taking them home to complete projects and homework assignments. All devices are in supervised mode, and an Internet filter is placed on the device, so the devices are filtered even when off of our network. Students in the Middle School who want to own their own device may purchase a new iPad through the district and receive a discount with an accidental damage warranty. Students in Middle and High School may also opt to bring in their own compatible device from home. In the case of family-owned devices, Middle School iPads are still set up and managed by the school’s Technology Department. High School students
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