Approve Stonington school renovations on Tuesday
A school building committee has produced a plan to renovate Stonington’s elementary schools and in the process eliminate the disparity that exists in the educational experience for students from different sections of the community. The plan deserves voter support.
There is no question that Stonington elementary schools need a reboot. The 116-year-old West Broad Street School, with its exposed piping, faulty sprinkler system, lack of access for the disabled and numerous other problems, has overstayed its welcome by at least a couple of decades. The school would close under the proposed plan.
The West Vine Street and Deans Mill elementary schools, dating to 1967, would be renovated as new and expanded. With computer labs, art and music rooms, separate cafeterias and gyms, and updated technology, the schools would provide the educational facilities expected in the 21st century.
Approving this project will lead to similar educational experiences for elementary school students through fifth grade, regardless of where they live in town.
As things now stand, students in Pawcatuck go to West Vine from kindergarten through grade two. They then transfer to the antiquated West Broad Street School through grade four. Conversely, students in the Deans Mill School in the Mystic area get to stay put through grade four.
Once renovated to offer the same amenities, the West Vine and Deans Mill schools will serve students from grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Building committee Chairman Rob Marseglia said providing continuity through grade five and eliminating disparity in the school experience were priorities for the committee.
If voters approve the project at Tuesday’s referendum, the schools would be ready for the 2019-2020 school year, according to the construction schedule.
The price tag is $69 million. It also includes money to replace the Pawcatuck Middle School roof and funding to plan for the relocation of the Central Office, now housed separately. With fifth grade moving to the renovated elementary schools, the school district may incorporate the Central Office into a middle school, said Mr. Marseglia.
The state will provide $16.7 million, 32 percent reimbursement, leaving the town to cover $52.3 million of the project costs. That state reimbursement percentage is low by regional standards, with Stonington penalized under the state reimbursement formula by its affluent coastal sections.
Tax impact would peak a few years after the start of construction. In 2020, the owner of a home with a median assessed value of $225,000 could expect to pay an additional $300 in property taxes tied to the school construction bonds. The annual cost will steadily decline from there, according to the financing projections.
The building committee chairman said the projections are conservative. If contracting costs come in under budget and the grand list grows more than the 0.75 percent projected annually, property owners could end up paying significantly less.
Doing nothing is not an option. If voters were to reject this proposal, the schools would need substantial renovations until officials could produce a new plan for voters. The better option is approving the proposal on the table, the result of 18 months of committee work and three community meetings.
“This project in some form has to happen,” Mr. Marseglia told us.
The Day urges a yes vote in Stonington on Tuesday.
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