Why We Need to Renovate Stratford High

When I first came into office, a constituent shared a story with me on why they moved into Stratford and chose it over other neighboring communities.

In addition to our proximity to New York City, New Haven and Boston, the top reason was due to the quality of our school systems. As a graduate of Bunnell High School, I can attest to how Stratford public schools have benefited my intellectual and personal growth, as it prepared me for college and the professional world.

I feel that growing on our academic success in town is one of my most paramount obligations as a public servant as it will benefit students and families for generations ahead, well after my time in public service.

Last week, we had an opportunity to move forward on renovations to Stratford High School that brings the school up to 21st century academic standards. I am proud to have voted in support of the project, and thank my fellow Council colleagues, the Mayor’s office, Board of Education members, and concerned parents who came out in support of this long-awaited project.

To say that these renovations are long overdue is an understatement, as the gym, cafeteria, science labs, windows, and library have been in gradual disrepair for over two decades. One of Stratford’s problems is a tendancy to delay on much needed repairs and renovations to buildings, capital equipment and other infrastructure needs.

Is this the fault of any particular mayoral or town managerial administration or Town Council? Absolutely not, as the problems predate many current and former public official’s tenure in office.

On Monday, May 23, the Town Council broke that tradition and passed the bonding ordinance to start to renovate Stratford High “like new.”

If the Town waited much longer to approve these projects, we would have experienced two major issues. The first is the deadline Governor Malloy’s administration placed on renovating school and municipal buildings. We needed our paperwork in order by the June 30th deadline in order to ensure a 50-percent reimbursement rate on the project from the State of Connecticut that is not burdening Stratford property owners and taxpayers. This is no small chunk of change, as the project’s total cost would have been in access of $56 million dollars, saving the taxpayers $28 million dollars. 

Secondly, and more importantly, the school’s accreditation review was quickly approaching and enhancements to the school were mandated in order to pass accreditation. Accreditation is essential because it is what grants values to the diplomas, GED, and other certificates and degrees to the school. Should Stratford High not pass accreditation, the school would not be able to provide academic value to half of our high school population. As a public official, this was a risk and outcome I could not take.

Councilman Tom Malloy is correct in noting that a newer Stratford High School that is closer to the athletic fields at Pender’s Field is ideal. I appreciate his vision for a more robust academic community and larger campus in town, but we have to make do with the conditions we have.

Given the deadlines for accreditation, and the fact that the proposed renovations go a long way in improving Stratford High School, we could not have afforded to wait for more ideal proposed to formulate. We took an opportunity to put to a end to a long standing problem.

There is no doubt that Stratford High School students for generations to come would benefit from the renavations in the school. The library and media center, gym, cafeteria, science labs and windows, among several other overhauls of the building’s infrastructure would provide immediate windfalls for SHS Red Devils.

Again, I am proud to have joined in this effort and help contribute to bringing Stratford High School into the 21st Century and extend my appreciate to all of the parents and neighbors who reached out to me and others regarding this issue.

- David Fuller, D-6