$150 Million Is Too Much…

Town Officials React To School Expansion Views

By Kendra Bobowick

Town officials now have strong impressions about the public’s feelings toward the few high school expansion options before them.

“The one thing I heard most from the public—take your time and get it right,” said Legislative Council Chairman Will Rodgers when gauging reactions expressed at a special Board of Education meeting Monday, designed to seek public input.

Patricia Llodra picked up a “constant theme—please be a long-term rather than a short-term solution,” she said. Honing in on the public’s motives, she continued, “I feel people expressed that they wouldn’t want to be back here in eight years. They want a solution, not a short-term fix.” Ms Llodra is a member of the Legislative Council.

 First Selectman Herb Rosenthal also has a keen interest in understanding the public’s point of view, and detected the same message as others. He said, “What I got out of it was that the Board of Education and town need to think in the long-term; think of a good solution rather than a bandage.”

Also striking him as significant was the understanding that the public “is looking for something educationally sound, with long-range planning.”

Hearing a similar plea from speakers Monday is Board of Finance Chairman John Kortze who said, “I think the town will support an educationally sound and affordable option.”

Mr Rosenthal raised another observation shared by other officials in attendance. “People did favor having students together.” One option suggests a second high school, separating the student body.

Stressing this point, Mr Kortze explained what he “heard”.

“I ‘heard’ people indicate they want to keep the kids together. I ‘heard’ in general that two schools creates a division.”

The meeting’s high attendance impressed the town leaders.

Mr Kortze said, “I was happy to see all the people, it was encouraging.”

Underlining the importance of a large turnout, Mr Kortze, who said he “took notes on all who spoke,” said, “I encourage the Board of Education or any board or commission to listen to the public when it can. Most importantly, I ‘heard’ the public encourage the town to communicate.”

Observing another layer of concern, Mr Kortze said he feels the public has indicated that, “all town needs matter. I ‘heard’ the town say to plan for the long-term prudently.” Expanding this thought, he said planning must encompass the town as a whole.

“I ‘heard’ many people extol the importance of [understanding] there is more to the town than the school system,” he said.

Also hearing this message was Legislative Council Vice Chairman Timothy Holian, who said he believes the bigger picture was lost on Monday’s meeting. “I think the $150 million option has to be viewed in light of overall impact on the community,” he said.

Looking at the town beyond the high school issue, Mr Holian, “was disappointed. Several people grudgingly paid lip service to other space needs in town.”

Further wondering about the $150 million, he asked, “What would be sacrificed with such an expensive ticket?”

Mr Kortze also noted the options that fell flat in popularity. He said, “I did not ‘hear’ overwhelming support for the mega $150 million option.” Nor did Mr Rosenthal, who warned, “Trying to pay for that option would make it nearly impossible to pass a normal [town] operating budget.” He too worries about those who would struggle financially to keep up with this option.

Casting a glance at the Board of Education’s role, Mr Rodgers said he was “very disappointed that in the list of cons for the new high school the Board of Education did not clearly portray cost as a major con.”

Expressing frustration that the board “merely stated that debt services will exceed” estimated costs and the tax rate will increase “is such an understatement.” Mr Rodgers said the new high school option is “three times the cost of other options.”

A new high school is one of several proposed answers to increasing space needs. A new high school is also the most expensive option. In the future as the Board of Education discusses plans, Mr Rodgers said, “I would like to see relative comparisons drawn between options regarding costs, and the warning that all other branches of government think [a new school] would be hard if not impossible.” He also said he would like to see this particular option, “spelled out” for the public in the future.

Legislative Council Vice Chairman Timothy Holian noted that the idea of creating two high schools “was not well received,” for reasons that “had not crossed my mind” until Monday’s meeting.

Remembering speakers who discussed divisions created by two schools in other towns, he now sees that parents may feel one school is better than another, or one teacher better than another, for example. He also noted that “we would need two of everything,” such as two principles, two custodians, etc to staff the two schools.

Like Mr Rodgers, Mr Holian feels the education board’s information regarding the cost impacts of the new high school especially, was lacking, saying, “The flyer needed to say taxes will go up substantially and that some of us may not be able to afford to live here.”