Voters to Decide on $239 Million School Renovation Plan in Wethersfield
Voters in Wethersfield, Connecticut, will cast their ballots on September 16 to determine whether the town will allocate $88 million for a comprehensive renovation of two elementary schools and the complete replacement of a third. This decision comes as approximately 19,500 registered voters prepare for the municipal election, with education officials emphasizing the urgent need for updates due to the deteriorating conditions of the schools.
In June, both Republican and Democratic members of the town council united to place this significant question on the ballot, aiming to address the pressing needs of the educational facilities. Advocates for the renovation plan are actively engaging in a “get out the vote” campaign throughout the month, highlighting the financial support from the state government, which has committed to covering $151 million—over 70% of the total project cost of $239 million.
Opponents of the plan have raised concerns about its expense, suggesting that it may lead to additional costs in the near future for upgrades to the remaining elementary schools. This summer, a handful of residents have voiced their objections at town council meetings, arguing that the proposed expenditures are excessive.
As the vote approaches, the campaign for support has gained momentum. Proponents have placed purple “vote yes” signs across various neighborhoods in Wethersfield. A political action committee named WIN IT (Wethersfield Invests Now In Tomorrow) has been formed to rally community support, utilizing social media platforms to keep residents informed about the referendum.
Need for Renovation
The schools targeted for renovation—Charles Wright and Samuel Webb—were built between the early 1960s and early 1970s, and their facilities have not kept pace with modern educational requirements. Consultants have indicated that Wethersfield would need to invest approximately $60 million in the next few years just to maintain basic functionality in these buildings, focusing primarily on updating roofs and mechanical systems.
The proposed plan seeks not only to renovate the existing structures but also to entirely replace Hillcrest Elementary School. The WIN IT group emphasizes that educators and students agree on the necessity for modernization, which would provide improved learning conditions across the town.
Importantly, the current proposal differs from a previous $278 million referendum that voters rejected three years ago. The earlier plan would have closed Charles Wright, while the new initiative aims to keep all five elementary schools operational, addressing equity in education across the district. The town’s delegation to the General Assembly has also achieved a notably higher state reimbursement rate this time, a significant factor in the current proposal’s viability.
Concerns and Future Plans
Critics of the current plan point out that it neglects improvements for Emerson-Williams and Hanmer schools, suggesting that these facilities will require separate attention in future referendums.
Town officials have circulated a detailed fact sheet outlining the benefits of the current plan, asserting that it represents Wethersfield’s best opportunity to rectify longstanding deficiencies in its elementary schools while only requiring a modest share of local funding. Voter turnout in the previous November election was just under 82%, indicating a strong potential for engagement in the upcoming referendum.
As Wethersfield approaches this critical decision, the outcome will not only reflect the community’s priorities regarding education but also set the stage for the future of its school facilities.
