Highlights From Dec 4 Ridgefield Special Brd Of Selectpersons' Meeting

**News Release Submitted by Town of Ridgefield**

Dec. 6, 2024

At Wednesday’s Special Board of Selectperson’s (BOS) meeting, the Board voted to set a Public Hearing and Special Town Meeting for December 18, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. to approve the resolution appropriating $275,000 for the costs related to the design and planning of a new Alternative High School and Transition Program Building.

It is important to clarify that the $275,000 is not new money. This is money that was already allocated to the school’s capital fund for additional space at the Alternative High School. Initially designated toward the expansion of the Alternative High School building at Ballard Green, this funding must now be re-approved by voters for the design and planning of the new location at 34 Halpin Lane.

Finding a new home for the Alternative High School and 18-22 Transition Program has not been easy. Several options have been explored, and each was evaluated with the best interests of the students and taxpayers in mind. As conditions changed and new opportunities presented themselves, the BOE, the Ridgefield Public School (RPS) Administration, and the Town have had to change gears multiple times in order to follow the best path for our students. What were these conditions that caused the jump from expanding to leasing to building? Let’s look at the timeline of events to fully explain how we ended up where we are.

• At the Annual Town Meeting on May 1, 2023, residents voted to approve the appropriation of $275,000 to be used for the expansion of the Alternative High School building at Ballard Green.
• A new Connecticut Law, effective July 2023, extended the age range of the Transition Program from ages 18-21 to 18-22. With a need for more space for both programs, a decision was made to look for a location that could house both the Alternative High School students and the Transition Program students.
• In February of 2024, a formal request was submitted to the BOS for additional space for both programs.
• St. Andrew’s Church was considered, however it proved to be inadequate and costly.
• After realizing St. Andrew’s Church was not ideal, the idea to lease 66 Grove Street was explored. The Town collaborated with the BOE and the RPS Administration on a proposed design and layout for the space.
• A lease was drawn up and approved at a Town Meeting on October 9, 2024.
• Shortly after the meeting, a tenant in the Venus Building informed the Town that they were considering reducing their leased space, potentially allowing the two programs to move into a town-owned building.
• Based on this new information, the decision was made to delay signing the Grove Street Lease in order to explore this alternative. At that time, the landlord of 66 Grove Street informed the BOS that they were withdrawing the proposed lease with the Town.
• Unfortunately, the Venus Building tenant ultimately decided against downsizing, making the Venus Building no longer a viable option.
• The current proposal is to build a new facility on town-owned property at 34 Halpin Lane. The Town will own the building, eliminating costs associated with leasing a privately owned establishment.

Last night, the BOS held a special meeting to approve the endorsement and referral to the Board of Finance (BOF) for the $275,000 appropriation for the costs related to the Design and Planning of a new Alternative High School and Transition Program Building.

This means that the BOS is providing the BOF with their seal of approval for the appropriation of the money. The appropriation still needs to be approved by residents at a Town Meeting, scheduled for December 18th, in order to move forward.