www.WashingtonCT.org The Town of Washington, Connecticut Town Planning Process

Public Education

Minutes from Meeting on November 9th, 2004

First Selectman Richard Sears introduced Jay Hubelbank, Chairman of the current Region 12 Building Committee and past chairman/current member of the Board of Education. He also introduced Irene Allan and Valerie Andersen, current Chairman and Treasurer of the Board of Education, respectively. The intention of this fourth forum was Education, in particular the future of the primary school buildings as part of Region 12. While specific costs relating to Education were not available at this point, the importance of reviewing and considering all aspects of the Town's future needs is recognized.

Jay Hubelbank reported the focus of the meeting would be on the Board of Education's plans for the three primary schools. After exhaustive study, the Board has made the decision to renovate, and in some cases possibly expand, the primary schools. Jay presented a slide presentation of the major changes that have occurred each decade over the past 100 years. This indicated how public education requirements have expanded significantly since World War II and the fact that the Board of Education is required to education all children. This has resulted in more children of all types going to school, more federal and state requirements to meet the needs of all children, additional staffing to meet individual student needs, and extra equipment in the classrooms. In addition to what once were core subjects, schools must also provide early childhood education for children with special needs. Jay noted that 17% of the current school budget is related to Special Education, of which 14% of the school population is comprised. The State recommends class sizes of 20-22 students. Many of the Region's elementary classes exceed these numbers. The size of the classrooms at the three primary schools are far below those recommended by the State, as are the library, cafeteria and gymnasium areas.

The State allows towns to project out eight years for the design of buildings and provide enrollment projection figures annually. These numbers will reflect on the kind of work to be done. Major work has not been done on the schools since 1986. The Washington Primary School was built as a high school and is now used by six year olds. Changes are planned to upgrade the building and it is anticipated 60%-70% of the costs would be related to replacing the infrastructure, i.e. plumbing, piping to boiler, electrical. Funds will not be used to modernize or for modern technology; however, concern was voiced about the poor intercom system in terms of safety for the children. It has been suggested that the buildings be "renovated to new" for which the State would provide 30% of the funding.

The school buildings in Bridgewater and Roxbury have many more issues than the WPS. There are currently six classes in the Booth Free School in Roxbury, while 11 or 12 are needed. Concern over the economics for the entire project was noted and it was felt ongoing costs will increase. The Town's current share is 44%. Since we are a region, it was suggested that consideration be given by the District to moving children between towns in order to alleviate class overcrowding. While the Board of Education would make that decision, Jay did not feel it would occur as parents would not be interested in having their children transported to another town.

It was also noted there is not enough classroom space at the middle/high school to consider moving the 5th grade back to that building. The middle school class sizes are the fastest growing and this would require renovation of a fourth building. It was suggested that design include appropriate space for the recommended class population, flexible space, and moving the mandated pre-K Special Ed program to one of the elementary schools.

Inquiry was made whether de-regionalization had been considered. Jay felt de-regionalized elementary systems would most likely be more costly and less efficient because of additional administrative personnel that would be required.

Options for funding: The State formula provides how much the State will fund towards school building projects. In larger cities, the reimbursement rate could be 90%; however, Washington's reimbursement rate is 20%, plus an additional 10% bonus for being a regional school. If you can prove to the State that you can bring the buildings up to a "new" status rather than build a new building, the State will reimburse the Region for 30% of everything that is done. More money would be spent but a new building would result. The Board is seriously considering this to see if it would be cost effective for the towns.

Jay reported the Board of Ed had received a letter from each town's Boards of Finance and Selectmen indicating that they understood that renovating the three schools could be a more expensive option but that the public felt the individual schools were the core of each town. In addition, if a new school were to be built, the towns would be left with the current school building and would have to support what would become of those buildings. The combination of those things aided the Boards in determining it would be best to maintain a school in each town. The Boards did not indicate that the primary schools should remain K-5 but only that the sentiment seemed to indicate that people wanted to retain a school in their own town.

The current lease with the school district continues until October of 2007. It is anticipated a 20-year lease will be required for approval by the State. Since we are a part of a region, the State will only recognize application for grant reimbursement as a Region as opposed to an individual town. It is possible that Washington's percentage of the school population will continue to decrease as Roxbury and Bridgewater's population grows, thus reducing the Town's annual responsibility. However, since we still have the larger percentage, it is assumed that Washington would be paying for a portion of the costs for construction on the Bridgewater and Roxbury schools

Question was raised if one of the towns wanted to include additional things in their renovations, i.e. a pool. The answer was unknown, but it was felt additional items would be voted on individually by each town and paid for by that town.

Irene Allan thanked Jay for taking on the responsibilities as chairman of the Building Committee. She cautioned that the towns must think as a "region" and pull together. No individual school will have anything done that is not necessary. No one school will be treated better than the other school. We have to do what we have to do. It is anticipated preliminary plans would be available for review in March and a vote taken by the three towns in May of 2005. If approved, the grant application must be submitted in June, 2005. It is hoped approval could be received from the legislature at the beginning of their session; however, it could be as late as June, 2006. Construction would begin following that.

On November 18, a fifth focus session will be held. Anticipated costs will be provided in the areas of housing diversity, open space, municipal facilities and education for consideration. It is hoped that a sense of priorities will be set.

The forum was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Gollow, Selectman's Ass't.