East Lyme residents turn out to learn about schools proposal
East Lyme — About 40 residents and local officials attended a community presentation Thursday evening to learn more about an estimated $35.82 million plan to upgrade the town's three elementary schools.
Residents asked questions on topics that included lighting, security and student enrollment, and several residents sought answers about plans for redistricting.
The proposal calls for alterations to all three schools that include new air-conditioning systems, handicap-accessible bathroom fixtures, upgraded security, Wi-Fi throughout the buildings and new paint, flooring, doors, light fixtures, laptop carts and drinking fountains.
Additional renovations are tailored to each school, according to the presentation. For example, Flanders Elementary School needs a new roof, while the bus and parent drop-off areas at Lillie B. Haynes Elementary School will be reconfigured. Exterior masonry work, window replacement and upgrades to the gym are among the specific alterations for Niantic Center School.
Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Newton said upgrading the schools, rather than rebuilding or renovating them "as new," is the most fiscally prudent option. School officials are pursuing a plan to alter the three schools now that revised projections show elementary school enrollment will increase.
Ken Biega, assistant vice president of construction firm O&G Industries, said the $35.82 million in cost estimates includes contingency. Exact costs can't be determined until the project — if approved by the town — goes out to bid, so costs could end up being lower.
A meeting is set for next week to determine items that would be eligible for some state reimbursement.
The proposal calls for construction to begin in June 2018 and wrap up in the fall of 2019. The plan also will require the use of "swing space" in the buildings to temporarily relocate classrooms during construction, according to the presentation.
Lisa Sperry, a town resident, asked how the construction timeline affects the district's plan for redistricting. She said she heard that school officials originally were trying to push for redistricting next year, but more recently decided they might want to change the plan so students don't have to be moved multiple times.
Newton, the superintendent, said the school board's redistricting ad-hoc committee is grappling with that issue and is expected to present its recommendation to the Board of Education next month. He said "the last thing we want to do is incur more disruption for students," so the committee is taking a serious look at the issue.
Resident Kelly Streich asked if school officials were familiar with the idea of an extended construction period during the summer, in which one year students would get out of school earlier and return later, and then make up for it the following year.
Newton said school officials will have to consider that when deciding on the calendar.
The alteration proposal could go to referendum in March, if it receives approval from the Board of Education, Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance. The school board is slated to vote on the proposal at its meeting Monday, according to a draft timeline.
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