South Windsor Council United in Support of Schools Plan

The South Windsor Board of Education joined the Town Council Monday evening to formally present the Elementary Schools Facilities Plan.

The councilors received the presentation, which detailed the 10-year, three-phase building plan, with enthusiastic support.

“It is an exceptional master plan to create sustainable schools over a reasonable amount of time and at a cost that can be absorbed by the town,” said Councilor Keith Yagaloff.

Mayor Saud Anwar said that the value provided to the town simply in freeing up the Wapping School for recreation space would be a huge advantage to the building plan.

“This plan is portrayed as a win-win and I see it,” said Councilor Stephen Wagner. “We have the chance to use Wapping School as a recreation facility… while providing a larger senior center in the community center.”

Board of Education Chairman David Joy presented all the details of the building plan, explaining that the much-needed renovation and replacement of the town’s elementary schools has been designed to pass, though two previous referendums failed.

“The reason people come to South Windsor is for the education,” said Councilor Tom Delnicki. “This is the first plan I’ve seen that is manageable for people to wrap their arms around and understand.”

The plan is 1-2-1, Joy said, meaning that one school would be addressed in the first phase, two in the second and one in the third.

All the town’s schools are between 50-55 years old, with the most recent update done 25 years ago. A study conducted by Friar Associates notes the buildings require significant mechanical upgrades, rely on modular classrooms, don’t comply with current codes and non are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

Joy said while the three separate referendums for each phase of the plan gives the district the opportunity to take full advantage of state reimbursement and to react to changing state mandates, enrollment fluctuations and other factors, he is not afraid the public will approve just one phase.

“If we do a good job with phase one and let the town see what the possibilities are, we think it will unite the town. It is one plan divided into three phases,” he said.

Anwar said the plan is a necessary investment in the community and its children.

“I’ve heard everyone is united and I know the Board of Education was united so on this topic, it truly is one town, one future… We as a town need this for our future,” he said.

Joy said that the board would finalize a cost estimate for the project in December, then send a mailing out to all households in town.

The cost would be about $34 per household over four years, when calculated by today’s Grand List and average property value, said Town Manager Matthew Galligan.

The board will formally request the Town Council set a referendum on the project in January; the referendum would be held on March 25, 2014. A state grant request would be submitted in June 2014 and construction would start in spring of 2015.

Complete information about the elementary schools plan is available on the South Windsor Public Schools website here.