Ledyard - As the town approaches a Jan. 20 referendum on the $64.3 million school building project, Superintendent Cathy Patterson reminded residents at Monday's night's last presentation on the project that the work will actually cost the town $24 million because of state reimbursement.

The project, which calls for the demolition of Ledyard Center School and extensive renovation of Gallup Hill School and Ledyard Middle School, would qualify the school district for a 62.5 percent reimbursement.

The project, which is slated to begin in the spring of 2016 and last until the summer 2019, would address maintenance issues in the aging school buildings. The newly-renovated Gallup Hill School, which would take on extra students, could be renamed.

Patterson has been referring to the school as "Consolidated East Elementary School."

"I'll leave that up to someone else," said the superintendent, who anticipates strong feelings about a name change.

The construction project would also move the sixth grade into Ledyard Middle School, which would keep Ledyard in line with state curriculum that considers sixth grade "middle school." It would also give students in that grade access to more electives, career planning guidance and the middle school engineering curriculum the district plans to introduce next school year.

The town plans to use a 20-year bond to pay for the project and spread the impact on taxes across that time period. The impact will peak in 2019-2020, said Patterson, at a mill rate increase of 2.17 percent.

If the referendum does not pass, Patterson said the town will still feel a financial impact. The cost of necessary, piecemeal improvements to the schools will be $17.5 million, and reimbursement will not be as high.

Sam Kilpatrick, director of buildings and grounds for the schools, outlined several facilities problems at the three aging schools. All three schools - Ledyard Middle School, built in 1971; Ledyard Center School, built in 1948; and Gallup Hill School, built in 1965 - need new roofs.

In addition, the schools' electrical systems are struggling to accommodate technological changes in the classrooms.

At all three schools, "we are either reaching or have reached capacity," said Kilpatrick.

Other renovations would include energy-efficient windows, more natural lighting, plumbing system upgrades, modern security measures and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A generator, kitchen and showers would allow Ledyard Middle School to be used as an community emergency shelter.

The superintendent anticipates cost savings in staffing and utilities because of the elementary school consolidation. She estimated a $200,000 savings in staffing, but would not say which positions would be eliminated because it will depend on enrollment numbers.

?k.catalfamo@theday.com

Twitter: @kccatalfamo