School Construction in Southwest Connecticut: A Desperate Need for New Facilities, but at What Cost?
Our series examines the need for new and renovated school facilities around southwest Connecticut, as well as how much that will cost.
Schools across southwest Connecticut have long and expensive lists of needs. Rundown HVAC units, overcrowded outdated classrooms, malfunctioning infrastructure and accessibility issues are just a few of the challenges our schools face.
According to facilities plans from across the region, there are more than an estimated $2.5 billion worth of improvements that are needed at school buildings over the next decade or two.
Some of these projects are particularly ambitious, such as the new South Norwalk School, which is bringing a community school to a neighborhood that hasn’t had one for more than 40 years.
However, increasing construction costs have caused concerns about funding for these projects. Some officials have said plans may need to be scaled back to avoid raising taxes on residents or asking the state for additional funding, while others continue to press for addressing the needs in our schools.
Part 1: A Growing Need for Improved School Facilities in Southwest Connecticut
Part 2: What’s the Cost of Updating Southwest Connecticut Schools?
Part 3: What’s the Impact of the Increased Cost of School Facilities Across Southwest Connecticut?
Part 4: A Look at School Construction Underway Around Southwest Connecticut
