Groton - A Political Action Committee has formed to promote the defeat of the Phase II school development proposal.

Andrew Parrella, chairman of Friends for Affordable Education, said in a letter announcing the PAC that the group is a fast growing and seeks to defeat the May school project referendum.

Voters will be deciding on a $133 million plan to consolidate three middle schools to one, convert two elementary schools into early education learning centers and upgrade the high school's football field with an artificial multi-purpose playing surface. The town would pay about half of the costs after state reimbursements.

FAE's vice chairman, Tim Plungis, a member of the Representative Town Meeting, said Parrella approached him soon after RTM approved the resolution last month that sent the Phase II plan to a referendum on May 2.

"We filed with the town clerk right after that," Plungis said. "Andrew spearheaded it. He brought me on board. At the time, we didn't know who would be a part of it then. We got a lot of people through word of mouth."

Plungis, who came up short in a bid for the state legislature last year, said the group FAE includes people with diverse opinions about the best direction for the school district's growth and development. But, he said, it is of one mind regarding Phase II.

"Our (immediate) goal is to have Phase II not pass," Plungis said. "The broader goal is to have the conversation, to increase the awareness of education matters in the town. Especially on fiscal matters. We need to have the conversation about, are we getting the best bang for our buck? We spend a lot of cash, but we don't always get the results we want."

During the public hearing on the town budget Monday, Ed Ettinger, a member of FAE, said the school budget "just reeks of rancid fat." Friday he elaborated on that sentiment.

He said $3.3 million to put artificial turf on the football field at The Robert E. Fitch Senior High School would be a frivolous expenditure. He said the early childhood learning centers would be town-funded preschool competing with the more cost-efficient private sector. Finally, he said, the proposal for a middle school at what is now the site of Claude Chester Elementary at the intersection of routes 1 and 117, or Fort Hill and North roads, is in the wrong place.

c.potter@theday.com