You asked several questions concerning a school construction project for Parish Hill High School in Regional School District No. 11. The questions and answers are listed individually below. In addition, for your further information, we include a brief summary of the provisions of SB 1064 relating to school construction waivers for Parish Hill High School.

QUESTIONS REGARDING PARISH HILL HIGH

What is the state reimbursement rate for a new high school construction project in Region 11?

For 2006, Region 11’s state school construction reimbursement rate is 79. 29%, according to the State Department of Education (SDE). This rate includes a 10-percentage-point regional school district bonus. School construction reimbursement grants range from 20% to 80% (excluding bonuses), depending on district wealth.

Is a town-wide referendum required for construction of a new high school?

State law requires a school district to approve the local share of a school construction project before applying for a state school construction grant. Under CGS §10-56 a regional school district can issue bonds if authorized by a referendum. The referendum procedure is the same as that used to amend a regional school district plan. It

requires a simultaneous referendum in each of the district’s member towns, called with at least 30 days prior notice to each town clerk. For the referendum to pass, it must achieve a majority of votes in each town (CGS § 10-47c).

Is this requirement ever bypassed?

The legislature has passed special acts to waive the state requirement that a town approve the local share of a project’s cost before even applying for a state grant. But, although the deadline for local approval may be extended, local financing approval and thus the referendum, is still required.

PARISH HILL HIGH SCHOOL PROJECTS INCLUDED IN SB 1064

sSB 1064, An Act Concerning Authorization of State Grant Commitments for School Building Projects, includes two special provisions waiving regular state requirements for projects at Parish Hill High School. The bill has been favorably reported by the Education and Finance, Revenue, and Bonding committees and is awaiting action in the Senate. The provisions take effect on passage.

Maintenance and Repair Project

Section13 of the bill waives various requirements of state law for emergency repairs and maintenance needed to maintain Parish Hill High School’s accreditation. The project must cost no more than $ 1 million. The bill exempts this project from (1) standard space specifications, (2) limits on redirecting use of a school building funded by a state grant, (3) competitive bidding, and (4) requirements for prior SDE approval of project plans and specifications.

Extension and Alteration Project

Section 14 of the bill adds an extension and alteration project at Parish Hill High School in Region 11, with an estimated cost of $ 40 million, to the 2005 school construction priority list. It waives requirements that, to be on the list, the district must have filed an application for the project before June 30, 2004, and that local funding for the project must have been approved prior to application. The waiver depends on the district completing an application for the project by June 30, 2006.

The bill also makes the Parish Hill High School project eligible for the 10-point school construction grant reimbursement bonus for cooperative arrangements if Region 11 concludes a cooperative arrangement with other districts before completing the project.

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