Whatever happened to the $98 million high school construction project? There is no reported progress, no schedule information, no architectural information, and no updated cost information.

June 2015, the General Assembly authorizes $98 million for the New London High School project. This was the first step in executing the all-magnet-schools building program. Since then, the state Department of Administrative Services removed this authorization during the special session this last summer because New London was not ready. Not ready after a year and a half from voter authorization for the magnet school program and a year after state approval for the high school portion.

By Charter the mayor is responsible. If the mayor wants this program to move in the right direction before the state removes more funds (a distinct possibility), he will do the following.

1. Place the project plan online.

2. Have the project manager report monthly to the City Council the status including projected completion date, projected cost to complete, graphs showing planned cash flow versus actual cash flow, and planned earned value versis actual earned value.

3. Make sure people (committee) overseeing the project are qualified for such a large undertaking.

Transparency assures good management.

Bill Vogel

New London

Editor's note: Mr. Vogel was the Republican candidate for mayor of New London in 2015.