School Consolidation Off For Now; Honeyspot Construction 'Is a Go'

Monday's news on school consolidation and the education budget is good - at least for now.

The Board of Education formally accepted a recommendation by its Long Range Facilities and Plant/Planning committees that no elementary schools will be closed in the coming year, though consolidation still is possible after 2011-12.

"Right now, it's status quo," said Board Member Joseph Crudo Jr. He and other board members acknowledged a recent consultant's report that detailed the possible savings in consolidation, but said more time is needed to crunch the numbers.

More than 75 parents and residents attended the meeting at the old Center School. But while they were gratified for at least a temporary reprieve for their neighborhood schools, they implored the board to crunch the data very carefully in next 12 months.

"Everyone here can tell you why you shouldn't close their schools," said parent Olga Streeter. "I say you should not close any school."

"Don't let cost be your only concern," said Wilcoxson Elementary parent Carrie Wassmann.

Sandra Carlo said she is a homeowner and business owner as well as a Lordship parent. She said strong neighborhood schools are keys to attracting all three.

Nichols School parent Rosie Navarro suggested things like relocating the school administration from its current East Broadway building and increases in things like tobacco taxes to find a combination of savings and revenues.

"Don't be the board that closed schools," said Ryan Mahoney, whose daughter was displaced when Center school closed six years ago. "Be the board that kept the schools open."

In other news, Board Member David LoConte said they will accelerate plans for building a new $13 million Honeyspot Elementary School, which houses children in grades K to 2 at Stratford Academy Magnet School.

"It's a go," said LoConte, who also is chairman of the School Plant/Planning Committee. The cost to the town would be about $6 million after factoring in a state reimbursement rate of 56.4 percent. The next step will be selecting an architect.

Bids for work on the science labs at Bunnell High School are expected to go out next week, while those for work at Stratford High School will be coming soon.
 On the financial front, new quotes from the district's insurance carrier will save nearly $393,000 on the 2011-12 budget proposal.

Chief Operating Officer Michael Feeney said the initial budget request assumed a 12 percent increase in insurance premiums, which now have come in at 8.5 percent.

The new 2011-12 budget proposal is for $94.03 million, an increase of $1.6 million, or 1.77 percent over the current year.

Two weeks ago, Superintendent Irene Cornish called her initial request of 2.64 percent a modest one.

"And I would call 1.77 the bare minimum we need to run a school district," said Board Chairman Gavin Forrester III. "Everything you need is up (in cost). Electricity is up. (Heating) oil is up. Food is up."