NHS Expansion Is The Best

Long-Term Solution

To the Editor:

The proposed high school expansion is the best long-term solution for the academic needs of the students. The project has been fully vetted, the Board of Finance has ensured that this expansion project is within their ten percent capital-spending cap and three superintendents have repeatedly stated that we must take NEASC recommendations seriously. NEASC warning status will continue to foster a negative perception of our educational system. This will have an adverse effect on our property values.

Our educational experts have stated the proposed high school expansion is the best plan available to meet the educational needs of today and the future. The school is already overcapacity and overutilized. Dr Robinson stated that it would be extremely difficult to change the course of the project within the tight timeline to meet the June 30 state deadline for the legislators to approve this project. The bids are expected to go out May 1 upon approval from the PCT so that construction can begin by July 1.

The Board of Education has presented a fiscally responsible economic plan. The high school expansion (including the $2.75 million design phase) will cost the town $29.3 million after state reimbursement. If we delay the project to scale it back, it will probably end up costing us more money for less building, due to the waste of design work done to date (loss of $2.75 million) and projected construction cost inflation. Ten years ago, the $28 million high school expansion became insufficient immediately upon completion. It would be a fiscally irresponsible decision to further reduce this project and place Newtown in another crisis situation in the near future by not planning far enough.

We also fully support the athletic enhancements, as it is a necessity for adequate physical educational program and achieves the P&R goal for a long-term field solution. The gymnasium was built for 1,100 students and no longer meets the educational needs for today’s enrollment. Low ceiling height, leaky roof, inadequate number of seating, and loud ventilation system limit the ability to properly instruct students. There will be a loss of one practice field due to the expansion project and already the high school students are displaced for practices. This will result in additional strain on field availability, which will have an adverse effect on all youth involved in sports.

Newtown is not the only community renovating and expanding the high school. The cost of the proposed high school expansion is in line with other school construction projects in Connecticut. Lower Fairfield County towns have addressed the school infrastructure needs as they experienced unprecedented growth more than a decade ago. Currently, Trumbull is spending $73.6 million (projected enrollment of 2,174) and Watertown is spending $56 million (projected enrollment of 1,023) to renovate their high school.

We are pleased that the high school expansion project has been put back on the right track for the voters to decide on April 22. The town leaders responded to your concerns and your desire to be given an opportunity to be counted. Now it is critical for you to come out in force on April 22 and be heard.

Po Murray

On behalf of IPN

38 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                          April 16, 2008