BRUNSWICK
Voters will have to wait until 2017 before they can determine the future of two Brunswick schools.
This is the latest snag in a years-long process over how to handle the district’s aging buildings, whose issues range from outdated fire alarm and sprinkler systems to non- ADA compliant toilets.
The school board is considering a plan that would include repairing the junior high and replacing the K-1 Coffin School. Board members had indicated they would support borrowing $24 million for the project.
However, the board learned May 25 that cost estimates had risen to nearly $28 million.
Board Chairman William Thompson told the town council Monday that he is awaiting firmer estimates, expected later this month.
Thompson said that it became apparent May 25 that putting a referendum before voters this fall wasn’t feasible. The board is now shooting for a November 2017 referendum in order to have enough time to present the plan and garner public support.
Brunswick schools are not on the state’s funding priority list, and as a result the town would be paying for the entire cost of the project on its own.
On Monday, Councilor Suzan Wilson suggested gauging public support with a non-binding referendum.
Thompson said the board hasn’t formally discussed that option.
“ I certainly don’t see why it would necessarily be problematic to do it that way. I’d want to make sure PDT is aware that we are going to be doing it,” Thompson said, referring to the project’s architect. “Every time we go back to them and ask them to redo things, that’s money.”
He added, “I don’t want it to result in a lot more hemming and hawing. We’ve been at this now for a significant amount of time.”
The town has been trying to address school facility needs for six years, Councilor Kathy Wilson said, and putting it off is costing money.
“ I have to say that I’m really disappointed to hear this — that once again it’s being put off,” Kathy Wilson said. “My understanding when I first heard about this was that we were in desperate shape.”
She expressed support for replacing the 61-year-old Coffin Elementary, but said delays cause her to question “the validity of a lot of what is said about the school situation.”
According to Thompson, there needs to be time in order to sway voters in favor of the project. This doesn’t prevent it from having a non-binding question in November.
“I think you should make sure that you’re deciding what’s best for the kids and not from what you’re afraid the public’s going to come back at you with. Be brave,” Kathy Wilson said.
Council Chairwoman Sarah Brayman agreed. Brayman said she was concerned with the rising cost of materials and with what the interest rate will be when the town is finally ready to bond the project.
“Those add significantly to the cost of the building,” Brayman said.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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