NHS Expansion Funds To Continue As Expected

By Eliza Hallabeck

It was either a crisis averted or much ado about nothing, depending on which side of the aisle they sat, but Newtown’s State Representatives DebraLee Hovey (R) and Chris Lyddy (D) along with State Senator John McKinney (R-Fairfield), hailed the passage of state funding for construction projects, including the Newtown High School expansion project now underway.

Last month Senate Minority Leader McKinney confirmed that a cut in the approved state budget would save the State of Connecticut $7.8 million in debt service payments on previously approved and scheduled school construction projects from across the state.

The Newtown High School expansion was approved by voters in May for $38.8 million. A halt on funding from the state over the next year would affect $11 million for the project. If the $11 million were not be received as progress payments for the project, Newtown’s Director of Finance Bob Tait said the town would have used short-term borrowing to cover expenses needed to continue construction until the earmarked money was released by the state in July 2010. That short-term bonding would not be retired until the state money was received, and the anticipated interest of approximately $100,000 would not have been reimbursed by the state.

Rep Lyddy announced on Monday, October 3, however, that Newtown would receive the approximately $11 million in state funding for the high school construction project as expected. Because of his efforts in concert with the Democratic majority, the school construction funding for Newtown was never threatened.

“With the passage of legislation, we are able to put to rest the speculation about the status of the funding for the high school,” Rep Lyddy said. “This funding will move Newtown’s project forward.”

Rep Hovey called the passage of the of the budget, and therefore the funding for state school construction projects, a relief for Newtown taxpayers.

“Thankfully, the voices of myself and other legislators like Senator McKinney helped draw attention to this matter and forced the majority to fix the problem,” said Rep Hovey.

Rep Lyddy said he has advocated for this project since he took office in January, according to a press release, by attending the School Construction Project Priority List Review Committee meetings and working with legislative leaders, because he wanted to ensure Newtown’s students did not become a victim of the budget crisis.

Rep Lyddy also said, “Students and teachers suffer when their environment is not conducive to learning. This expansion will allow for proper classroom space and the removal of the portable classrooms.”

The proposed project adds more than 77,000 square feet, which will consist of 20 classrooms, five science labs, a cafetorium, and increased space for art, auto mechanics, child development, culinary arts, a film studio and music program.

House Education Committee Chair Andrew Fleischmann said in a press release, “[Rep Lyddy] has advocated tirelessly on behalf of this project, and remains dedicated to ensuring Newtown’s students have the resources they need to learn. Newtown is lucky to have him serving at the capitol.”

 Rep Hovey and Senator McKinney said they were also closely monitoring the status of school construction payments to be funded following passage of the state budget last month.

The state’s budget still needs to go before the state’s Bond Commission before the progress payments will be received for the Newtown High School expansion and renovation project, Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson said Tuesday during the Board of Education’s meeting.