Disappointments and delays continue for the New London public schools’ building project, an integral part of the plans to convert the district to the state’s first all-magnet-schools system.

The latest kick in the gut was the recent news that the bids to rebuild and expand the high school, which is desperately needed, came in $4.2 million over the $77 million budgeted. Add in other escalating costs, and the gap is more like $5 million, or 6.5% of budget.

Way back in 2014, voters approved $168 million for new school construction. Also planned is the reconstruction of the Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, potentially to include the demolition of the adjacent Central Office and construction of new administration offices, adding $5 million or more to the project if the City Council approves.

For the bulk of the project the state is reimbursing 80% of the costs. So, the city is getting a good return on a relatively modest investment if, that is, it can manage to bring this to completion.

There have been multiple reasons for the delays. Debate with the state over how the learning pathways for the magnet schools would be organized added years. Also adding to the delay was the crushing disappointment that school officials and the Garde Arts Center could not agree how to use a $31 million state grant to utilize the Garde as a downtown arts-learning campus. Abandoning that project resulted in more planning.

The high school is to be rebuilt as new. Adding to the cost and challenge is that school would have to continue hosting classes as the work is done in phases. The total estimated cost is $108 million, which includes design, architectural and construction management expenses, as well as some already completed preliminary work.

The campus would continue to host the popular and successful Science and Technology High School of Southeastern Connecticut, which opened in 2006.

Students, be they the children of city residents or from surrounding towns attracted by the magnet programs, have three pathways to choose from as they move from kindergarten, to elementary, to middle and then high school — science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); arts; and international studies. Keeping out-of-district students in the system past the elementary grades has been a challenge. Having modern middle and high schools is critical to meeting that challenge.

Concerning the higher bids, the city can either chip away at elements of the project to try to get the budget within the scope of the bids, or it could rebid. While desperate construction companies, which likely stand to lose business due to a pandemic-caused recession, might be inclined to bid lower, there would be no guarantees and more time would be lost. Better, if possible, to try to bring the project costs down, and get shovels in the ground, with the potential that amenities could be added back in later.

Setting aside the frustration over delays, it is important to remember just how important this effort is to the city. Most of the elementary schools are new. As-new high and middle schools are in the offing. A successful magnet-school approach should begin to lift academic performance for all students. An improved school system would make the city more attractive to new families and elevate home values.

It is long past time to bring these plans to fruition.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.