Southington Voters Decide $86.7M Elementary School Plan on Nov. 3

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington voters will decide Tuesday, Nov. 3, whether the town should borrow $86,675,560 to build a new Kelley Elementary School, finish space at South End Elementary School and close Flanders Elementary School, whose building would be turned over to town and community use.

The ballot question asks voters to approve both the spending and the bonds to pay for it. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the regular polling places, and absentee ballots are available from the town clerk, Patch reported.

What It Would Cost Taxpayers

The town is counting on the state to pay back a large part of the cost. Patch has reported that the plan depends on borrowing and on state school construction reimbursement of as much as 65 percent. That rate is not automatic: under current state rules, a 50 percent rate could apply if the district fills the new space within eight years, with up to 15 percent more possible on top, the Southington Outsider reported in March.

After the state's share, the district's estimated cost would be about $39.7 million, the Outsider reported Oct. 8. It would drop to about $33.9 million if the district puts early childhood care in the new Kelley school or the expanded South End and qualifies for more state aid, the Outsider reported. In March, Superintendent Steven Madancy put the likely cost to Southington taxpayers at $31 million to $39 million once reimbursements are counted, according to the Outsider.

The tax increase would begin in 2029. The Outsider's example is a home with a fair market value of $200,000, assessed at $140,000: its owner would pay about $4.57 more a month in 2029 and $6.52 more a month in 2030.

How the Plan Reached the Ballot

On Feb. 19, the Board of Education adopted a two-phase facilities plan on an 8–1 vote and aimed for a June referendum, Patch reported. On March 25, the Board of Finance voted 4–2 to hold the vote at the November election instead, the Outsider reported. The Town Council unanimously approved the bond ordinance on April 13 and set the Nov. 3 date, according to Patch.

A Second Phase Would Need Its Own Vote

Only the first phase is on this ballot. A second phase, which would build a new Derynoski Elementary School and give the Karen Smith Academy a new building, would go to voters in a later referendum. In March, district officials estimated the local share of that phase at about $60.5 million, Patch reported.

Madancy has met with the PTOs at every elementary school, held open forums and taken parents on tours of the buildings, the Outsider reported. Some parents who oppose the referendum have set up a website listing their concerns about the project, the Outsider reported.

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