John Winthrop Middle School Safety Project

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — On The evening of August 24th, the Region 4 Board of Education held a special meeting to vote on the following:

2.1 Possible VOTE to approve RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE $952,053 FOR THE COST OF
THE JOHN WINTHROP MIDDLE SCHOOL SECURITY PROJECT AND TO AUTHORIZE
THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS, NOTES OR TEMPORARY NOTES IN AN AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED $952,053 TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION (Encl #1)

2.2 Possible VOTE to approve RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT TO REFERENDUM THE
RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE $952,053 FOR THE COST OF THE JOHN WINTHROP
MIDDLE SCHOOL SECURITY PROJECT AND TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF
BONDS, NOTES OR TEMPORARY NOTES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $952,053
TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION (Encl #2)

Following a discussion, the Board voted yes on both 2.1 and 2.2.

It is expected that there will be partial reimbursement for the cost of this project from the state, however, the entirety of the cost has to be appropriated first to move forward with the project.

The goal is to be able to start the project, at the beginning of the summer of 2022 and be finished by the time school starts for the next year. It was stated that even if construction is not completed by the start of school for 2022, the way the project is being designed, it will not disrupt school activities.

The project will include several security improvements such as; a security vestibule at the building's entrance to screen visitors, bullet-resistant glass, motion sensors, window and door sensors, several security cameras, security stations and more.

Now the question; “Shall Regional School District No. 4, comprised of the Towns of Chester, DeepRiver and Essex, appropriate $952,053 for the cost of the John Winthrop MiddleSchool Security Project and authorize the issuance of bonds, notes or temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $952,053 to finance the appropriation?" will be posed to the residents of the tri-towns who will have the opportunity to vote yes, or no on the issue on November 2, 2021 at a referendum.