Whether the North Stonington taxpayers approve this building plan or not, here are some facts about the schools that will have to be dealt with.

The schools contain asbestos and PCBs, common in buildings built at that time. The windows are energy sieves and some are single-pane glass. The insulation in the walls is well below today's standards. Some roofs are in need of repair and are out of warranty. The science labs best days were in the 1960s and '70s. The main office at the elementary school is not near the entrance and invites a security breach. The floors in the multi-purpose room (cafeteria) are dangerous, causing numerous injuries.

These are only some of the problems. If the citizens in North Stonington truly embrace our education system and think of the school buildings as part of the hub of our town, these problems will need to be addressed in the near future. If included in the the proposed $40.5 million building plan, the cost will be $25.9 million after reimbursement. If done, but not as part of a build plan, there is no reimbursement and it will cost more as construction expenses increase in the years to come.

The reimbursement path makes the most sense.