We are Groton.

We are Town and City. We are Mystic, Center Groton, Noank and Eastern Point. We are Republicans and Democrats. We are grandparents and parents. We are retirees. We are military and business owners. We are seniors, baby boomers and young families. We are as diverse in our beliefs and ideas as we are in our backgrounds and for three years we’ve worked and given tremendous thought to developing the Groton 20/20 Plan. This is our community’s plan.

On Nov. 8 we turn to you; Our entire community, who will make a choice that will significantly impact the future of our town.

Before you choose the next president of the United States, you will be asked to approve a referendum question for a school construction project that will require an investment of state and town funds.

Currently, Groton’s aging, outdated school facilities are in need of major, costly repairs to simply stay open. Many were built before JFK was president.

The plan calls for constructing a single, middle school, renovating two existing middle schools “to new” and closing three buildings over 60 years old, which will become available for other use or economic development. More importantly, the plan modernizes our schools enhancing and improving educational opportunities for all students, eliminates portable classrooms; increasing safety and security, and provides infrastructure to support 21st century instructional technology.

Our existing middle schools will become intra-district magnet elementary schools. Currently we pay approximately $2.5 million on student tuition and special services to magnet schools outside the district. Groton magnet schools will serve neighborhood children and expand school choice districtwide, making Groton schools more attractive to parents, and allow Groton to achieve racial balance as mandated by the state without redistricting.

Despite agreement that the plan is well thought out, offers educational benefits, and addresses the long-term issues Groton has faced, the objection is cost. We understand the project is a significant investment, however, we’ve all come to the same conclusion: We can no longer put off investing in our schools.

The time is now.

Interest rates are at historical lows. Costs will increase as state reimbursement rates decline and a project in 2016 is simply not going to cost less than it did in 2011. In another five years it will cost more than it does today.

Modernization and reducing our number of schools will deliver efficiencies that equate to annual cost savings. Investment in schools can increase property values, attract families and employers to a town and are one of the smartest economic investments a community can make. Our neighboring towns including New London, Stonington, North Stonington and Ledyard are all investing in schools.

So, what is it going to cost?

The plan requires an investment of $184.5 million; the state is expected to fund $100 million and Groton’s estimated cost will be $84 million. The annual average cost to the median Groton home value is $3.73 a week.

The alternative? It’s not $0. Today, our schools require an estimated $63 million in repairs and while the state reimburses towns for construction, it provides little, if any, funding for maintenance.

So, the real question is: Do we spend $63 million just to keep the doors open on aging buildings with no educational enhancements. Or, do we spend $84 million, on a long-term solution that addresses multiple needs for our district, improves education for our students and promotes economic vitality for our town. That’s the $20 million question and the difference to each taxpayer is minimal.

We are the community of Groton.

Vote "yes" Nov. 8.

Lenny Winkler and Craig Koehler are co-chairs of the Groton School 20/20 political action committee.