More students than ever are going to be in Fairfield over the next decade, according to the Board of Educations sources. The question plaguing Tim Kery and his fellow board members is, should they ask the towns financiers for what they think theyre going to need or for what they expect to get?
The board Tuesday night discussed its plans to renovate Fairfields schools over the next four years. Kery and the Facilities, Technology and Long Term Planning Subcommittee suggested a plan that would fit in with First Selectmen Kenneth Flattos bonding plan. But based on MGT of Americas enrollment projections and the firms audit, Fairfields schools may need more than $50 million to make enough space for programs.
We are basically 900 seats short of delivering our program at the elementary level, Kery said.
The auditors recommendation included space not just for more students, but for better use of the space they have now. In Fairfields elementary schools, many music, art and science programs are held in normal classrooms. MGT suggests dedicated spaces for those classes.
But doing so, and expanding to fit the 1,000 additional students expected to come into the district over the next decade, requires a total of 60 classrooms over Fairfields 11 elementary schools. District manager of construction Sal Morabito estimates this will cost $54 million.
The more scaled-down plan submitted by the Facilities subcommittee calls for $38 million over the next four years, after state reimbursement. It includes expansions for Riverside, Holland Hill and Mill Hill schools, and regular renovations for other schools. Board of Education member Paul Fattibene suggested the board stick to this plan, expecting it to have more success with the other town boards.
Ive been unsuccessful in the past in achieving those goals, Fattibene said. Im trying to learn from my mistakes, and trying to do what is achievable.
But Kery and other board members suggested incorporating the full expansions into the districts plan. Our job on the board of education is not to determine the funding, Kery said. Our job it to determine the merit.
Which option do you think the Board of Education should choose? Voice your opinion in the comments below.
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