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Sunday, April 30, 2006

BY SYDNEY SCHWARTZ

Copyright © 2006 Republican-American

WASHINGTON, Conn. — The Region 12 Building Committee slashed about $1 million from its elementary school renovation plans during a workshop Saturday.

But the reductions remain far from the $4.2 million requested by Bridgewater and Roxbury selectmen and the $3.1 million that an architectural consultant says is possible.

At issue is whether the Board of Education can reach a number voters will accept, should they vote again on whether to renovate the district's elementary schools.

A $39.3 million referendum to renovate Booth Free School in Roxbury, Burnham Elementary School in Bridgewater and Washington Primary School was rejected by voters on Tuesday.

The vote followed a March 7 advisory referendum, when residents decided to renovate the schools rather than build a consolidated school in Washington for $29.8 million.

The school board likely will consider the cost-cutting measures and set a new referendum at its meeting Monday, said Gary Steinman of Roxbury, chairman of the building committee. The district faces a June 30 deadline for an approved plan or will lose state funding.

"I think we have done what we can," Steinman said. "We have been working very hard at getting the best possible project at the best possible price."

First Selectmen Barbara M. Henry of Roxbury and William Stuart of Bridgewater say the referendum failed because of the high cost. They suggested cutting about $4 million after the March 7 vote and sent a letter to the Board of Education Friday reiterating this stance.

Others believe it failed because Washington was not getting enough value for its money. Washington residents voted 2-to-1 against the referendum, overwhelming Bridgewater and Roxbury's preference for funding.

On Saturday, the Building Committee attempted to identify potential revisions to the plan that could cut costs and increase value to gain votes.

Possible changes include:

About $1 million saved at Burnham by restoring the 1950s addition, rather than replacing it, and omitting a road that could have addressed traffic concerns.

About $500,000 to $800,000 saved at Booth Free School, from reducing the size of the new multipurpose room and not adding the REACH preschool program.

An additional $500,000 spent at Washington Primary School from leaving the existing wooden-floor gym and restoring the cafeteria and library. The committee thinks that Washington voters may feel more enthusiastic about the project overall with extra money spent on their school.

Steinman said he can't be sure what the exact monetary reduction will be until someone sits down with the data and many committee members remain skeptical that the project can be done at all for such a low price.

Board of Education Chairman Irene Allan said she hopes these changes resonate with voters.

If not, the board will miss its deadline for state funding and costs will escalate an expected 6 percent to 8 percent, or $2.4 million to $3.1 million.

"The changes that were brought forward are reasonable. They do save some money," Allan said. "Whether it's enough to bring it over to the top, I don't know."