Future taxpayers take note. In response to the article, “Construction on new Grasso Technical High School to begin next year,” (Sept. 1), about the State of Connecticut building a new $134 million tech high. What’s wrong with the existing tech school, only 40 years old?

There are creative ways to upgrade the existing school without having to rip down the building. This would save the taxpayers millions. They want to add welding courses, and other trades to help Electric Boat at our expense. Did you know that there was a welding shop when the school was new? That disappeared. The carpentry shop is soon to follow; no more carpentry courses. Without carpenters to build homes, you have no need for plumbers, electricians, painters and all the other trades. 

As an alumni of Grasso Tech, and a carpenter for 35 years, I am disappointed in these decisions. There are going to be many carpenters on hand to build the newly proposed school. The state should look at where most of the residential carpentry jobs are located − along the coast, where the wealth lies. Why help Electric Boat train their future workers on taxpayer dollars? And why raze a school because O&G Industries needs the work?

State taxpayers will pay.

James Diaz-Saavedra

New London