Mayor Marc C. Laredo wants to put window air conditioning units in classrooms across 10 Newton school buildings, at a cost of $1.25 million.

The proposal, docket item #358-26, heads to the Public Facilities Committee on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. in Room 204. The meeting is hybrid, with a Zoom option for residents who want to watch or participate remotely.

The money would come from the city's June 30, 2026, certified free cash, according to the committee's agenda. It covers the AC units themselves plus electrical work and installation.

As we reported Oct. 29, the request appeared on the full City Council docket alongside roughly $6 million in other spending items. The item has been referred to both the Public Facilities and Finance committees.

Which schools are on the list

Public Buildings Commissioner Alejandro Valcarce identified the 10 buildings in an Oct. 26 memo to the mayor:

  • Bigelow
  • Bowen
  • Brown
  • Burr
  • Mason Rice
  • Memorial Spaulding
  • Peirce
  • Underwood
  • Ward
  • Williams

Valcarce wrote that the department is "looking to start this work this summer." The city has already spent $649,263 on the project, according to a budget document included in the agenda packet.

Background: heat in older buildings

Many of Newton's older school buildings lack air conditioning. The Newton School Committee voted unanimously at its summer retreat to authorize the city to install AC units in classrooms and offices, as the Newton Beacon reported in August.

At the time, Superintendent Anna Nolin said the district expected AC units to arrive Sept. 18, with the Public Buildings Department handling installation over several weeks. Nolin cautioned that contractor timelines could cause delays.

"I don't want parents to assume that everything's all set, but it's all happening," Nolin said, according to the Beacon's reporting. "The bids have been made. The construction tools have been contracted. The hardware has been bought."

The Beacon reported the city's earlier cost estimate at $1.2 million, plus $25,000 in electricity costs. The current request of $1.25 million is slightly higher, though the agenda materials do not explain the difference.

In an October letter published by Fig City News, Newton Corner resident Alexander Lee described conditions at Bigelow Middle School, where his daughter attends. Lee wrote that "learning is impossible on the second floor" when temperatures climb into the 90s, as they did twice in May.

Councilor David Kalis chairs the Public Facilities Committee. The Nov. 2 City Council docket confirms the item's referral to both committees.