State Reimbursement To Groton For New School Construction Would Fall In The Future

Groton would see its state reimbursement for new school construction fall significantly in the future under the governor’s proposed budget, State. Rep. Edward Moukawsher told the Town Council Tuesday.

Moukawsher said he inquired about the issue and believes the town's reimbursement would fall from 66 percent to 58 percent for any projects Groton applies for after January 2012.

The rate is significant because the town is considering a $133 million school construction plan to build a new middle school and create two early childhood centers. Representative Town Meeting is expected to vote tonight on whether to put the question to voters on the May ballot.

One of the arguments for the plan is that state reimbursement may not be available to the same extent in the future, so delay will be costly. The argument against it is the opposite; that given the state's financial circumstances, the promise of reimbursement is unreliable.

The plan, as proposed by the Board of Education, assumes a conservative reimbursement of about 50 percent from the state for new construction projects, which would decrease the cost of the project to $65.8 million over 20 years.

Town Manger Mark Oefinger said the problem is that the state requires towns to obtain local approval for projects before they may apply for state funding.

The arrangement essentially requires local communities to invest significant money in engineering and architectural plans to apply to the state, then await a response, Oefinger said.

“It’s a lot to ask of a community to go through that,” he said.

Groton is likely to have competition for future projects. Sate Sen. Andrew Maynard said 30 or 40 other communities are applying for reimbursement for new school construction.

Moukawsher said any projects the haven’t begun construction by April 1, 2012 would receive the new reimbursement rates.