East Lyme — The Board of Education and the schools' superintendent said Monday they will need to discuss the higher-than-expected tax increases associated with the elementary schools' proposal with town boards before moving forward with the project.  

The board has been pursuing a proposal, estimated at about $58 million after state reimbursement, to renovate Niantic Center School, build a new Flanders Elementary School, and give the Lillie B. Haynes School building to the town. 

The board took no specific action at its meeting Monday, but began discussions on how to proceed after listening to a presentation from the town's finance director, Anna Johnson, about the projected debt service and tax increases.

Board of Education Chairman Timothy Hagen said the design committee overseeing the project thinks it's important to have "a very robust dialogue and conversation with the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen on any and all questions and concerns."

He said the three boards together need to determine the right course for the project.

A chart handed out by Johnson at the meeting showed the estimated impact of the proposal on taxes over the period between Fiscal Years 2019 and 2042.

A homeowner with a house assessed at $250,000 would pay an extra $38 to $648 annually due to the elementary schools project. This would total $11,633 in additional taxes over the 24-year period.

A taxpayer with a house assessed at $350,000 would see between $53 and $907 in additional taxes each year, for a total of $16,328 over 24 years.

The taxes for a house assessed at $450,000 would increase between $68 and $1,666 each year, for a total of $20,993 over the entire period.

The data does not include grand list growth or decreases in school expenditures.

During the board's discussions on Monday, board member Barbara Senges urged the board to keep moving forward, whatever the decision may be.

Fellow member Eric Bauman said the board wants to do everything to educate the town's children and also to be fiscally responsible, but he thinks the two goals right now are conflicted.

Board member Bill Derry said the chart only presents a limited scope, because it doesn't show the costs of maintaining the aging elementary schools if the community doesn't pursue the project. He likened it to looking at only the cost of a new car, but not at the cost of keeping a clunker on the road.

Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Newton said the district estimates its three elementary schools require $22 million in repairs, without state reimbursement.

Newton also said it will be important to reach out to the 75 percent of residents who do not currently have children within the school district. 

"I think that starts with talking to the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen to really get a clear picture and clear direction on how to move forward," he said. 

During public comment, several residents weighed in on the proposal.

John Arnold, a member of the design committee, said the timing and schedule of the project has been designed to minimize costs. He said it would cost at least an additional $9 million — based on factors including declining student enrollment and escalating construction costs — if the two school projects do not move forward simultaneously.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich