Strategic Feasibility and Utilization Study Initiative
Thomaston Public Schools (TPS) is embarking on a Strategic Feasibility and Utilization Study to ensure our facilities and resources align with educational goals, community values, and fiscal responsibility. Approved by the Thomaston Board of Education (BOE), Board of Finance (BOF), and Board of Selectman (BOS) this initiative marks a vital step toward long-term planning to optimize resources, enhance educational opportunities, and address operational challenges.
Background and Objectives:
Over the past year, TPS has undertaken comprehensive long-term planning, including analyzing enrollment trends, engaging the community, and assessing facility utilization. The study’s objectives include:
Facility Best-Use and Efficiency Studies:
Facility Best-Use and Efficiency Studies:
- Assess current utilization and optimize spaces within existing facilities without major changes.
- Explore potential grade reconfiguration and consolidation of facilities for operational and educational benefits.
Shared Services and Operational Efficiencies:
- Explore opportunities to share programming and administrative/operational tasks with other districts to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
- Conduct SWOT analysis and develop recommendations for shared services.
Regionalization Opportunities:
- Investigate forming a regional school district with neighboring communities.
- Evaluate legal, operational, and educational impacts of regionalization.
Comprehensive Planning and Cost Analysis:
- Develop detailed reports with cost estimates, planning diagrams, and feasibility studies for all proposed options.
- Provide recommendations for educational, operational, and structural improvements across all scenarios.
The findings from the Facility Use Study were presented to the Board of Finance. The study identified 250 repair projects that total $53MM over the next 20 years. The investment schedule for these required repairs is as follows and covers all three schools.
The Board of Finance called for a feasibility study to identify potential cost mitigation options, as the total $53MM investment is significant for the town. Regardless of the recommendations of the feasibility study some or all of these repair projects will need to occur. The goal of the feasibility study is to find the most cost-effective path forward, while continuing to provide the best education for our children.
A cross functional team was assembled that included members of both the BOE and the BOF to identify a vendor to assist in furthering the analysis in the areas of, building and programmatic efficiencies, facilities reduction, shared services, and regionalization. The team produced a Request for Proposal (RFP). The detailed scope of the RFP is as follows. The complete RFP can be found here.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
The selected firm will assess and provide recommendations on the educational and operational efficiency of Thomaston Public Schools through four defined efforts. Responding firms must provide individual pricing for each of the four efforts, as well as combinations where applicable. Any contract arising from this RFP shall be paid on a fixed-price basis, meaning that the overall price provided in the contract shall be for a fixed amount and not subject to “extras”, “change orders”, etc.
Effort #1 – Building and Programmatic Efficiencies Retaining the Current Facilities
The selected firm will evaluate all educational and support spaces within the district’s facilities to determine their size, condition, and educational appropriateness. The firm will analyze the physical attributes of each space in relation to its current use and provide recommendations for potential reconfiguration or repurposing of spaces to optimize operational and educational outcomes. The final report will outline strategies for maximizing efficiency while retaining all three existing school facilities.
Effort #2 – Educational and Operational Potentials in Reducing the Total Number of Facilities
The firm will assess the feasibility and impact of reducing the number of school facilities in the district. This study will involve an analysis of space utilization, student distribution, and building functionality to determine potential grade reconfigurations, consolidation strategies, and operational benefits. The final report will outline required building modifications, benefits of consolidation, and associated costs.
Effort #3 – Operational Shared Services Potential
This effort will explore opportunities for the district to increase administrative and operational shared services with neighboring districts or Regional Education Service Centers (RESCs). The firm will review past and current shared service initiatives, assess opportunities for further collaboration, and provide recommendations on the financial and operational implications of expanding shared services. The final report will include a list of functions that could be efficiently managed through regional cooperation.
Effort #4 – Comprehensive Regionalization Potential
The firm will analyze the potential for the district to enter into a regional school agreement with one or more adjoining public school districts. This analysis will include an examination of governance structures, financial impacts, operational constraints, and community expectations. The final report will outline the benefits and challenges of regionalization, as well as the implications of maintaining the district’s current independent status.
Proposal Selection Process
Multiple vendors were contacted, however, only two choose to bid. They were Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. (DRA) and The S/L/A/M Collaborative, Inc. (SLAM). These two vendors presented to a joint meeting of the BOE and BOF. Following the presentations, the joint board raised a set of questions for follow-up. In addition, the group identified a gap in both proposals. They were missing a demographic study necessary to have up to date and accurate estimates of the school aged census for the next 5-10 years. This item was subsequently added to both proposals, and all outstanding questions were sufficiently answered. Proposals and supporting materials can be found through the links below.
Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. (DRA)
- Initial Proposal
- Revised Proposal
- Initial Presentation
- Revised Presentation
- Demographic Study Proposal
The S/L/A/M Collaborative, Inc. (SLAM)
DRA’s price was $111,000 and SLAM’s price was $200,000. At a joint BOE/BOF meeting, DRA was selected as the vendor of choice. The BOS subsequently approved the selection of DRA as the vendor of choice. The final approval was secured at a town meeting held on July 30, 2025. The minutes to that meeting can be found here.
A steering committee meeting has been formed to ensure the project proceeds as planned. The members of the steering committee are Rich Sileo, Chairman, Board of Finance, Roxy Fainer, Chairman Board of Education, and Tracy Decker, Finance Director. The steering committee meets bi-weekly on Mondays.
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