What Does The Future Hold For East Lyme Elementary Schools?

East Lyme elementary schools are in desperate need of repairs. Leaking roofs, ancient windows, a brick wall that's actually pulled away from a building—the list is long and in 2011, the total projected cost of repairs was estimated at $17,813,750.

Clearly, something must be done to address the aging school facilities, but what? That was the focus of a forum held at East Lyme High School last night. Attendance was less than spectacular. The small audience was mostly comprised of supporters of Niantic Center School, who don't want to see the community school closed as has been suggested. 

Last night, Tim Hagen, chairman of the Board of Education sought to reassure parents that the board is still a long way from making any decisions, and that a lot more research and community input would be needed before any decision would be made.

"There's been no decision. We're in the process of engaging the community," Hagen said.

However, he noted, doing nothing is not an option. If the Board doesn't act, the town will be footing the bill for emergency repairs. The projected cost of repairs needed at Lillie B. Haynes amounts to $7,693,250; at Flanders School, $6,046,750; and at Niantic Center School, $4,073,750. Hagen said the state would not reimburse the district for repairs. 

The state will reimburse the district for 33 percent of the cost of new construction and 42.5 percent to "renovate as new," however, the cost of renovating all three schools "as new" would be the most expensive option. 

What's Happened So Far

Since October 2011, East Lyme Public Schools Facilities Vision Committee, aided by a survey of the facilities by Kaestle Boos and O&G Industries, has been considering all the options. After taking input from educators, parents, and the community, the group made its recommendations to the Board of Education in April of this year. 

Closing Niantic Center School, where the student population is declining, and renovating Lillie B. Haynes and Flanders "as new" was the most highly-favored option proposed by the Vision Committee.

It is also the most emotionally-charged, as Niantic would be losing its small community school. Parent after parent stood up last night to ask the Board to keep the school—which has earned accolades as a school of distinction— open even if it required redistricting. 

"I think Niantic Center School is a treasure," said Mary Walsh, a Niantic resident. "It's not the building, it's the community. It's important to maintain our community. It means something to have the school in our neighborhood. It makes us Niantic."
 
Closing Niantic Center School isn't the only option on the table, however. The Vision Committee considered six possible scenarios, including replacing all three schools with one new, state of the art elementary school, divided into wings, to serve the whole town. 

This would allow the school flexibility to expand and adapt to educational and population changes in the future, and allow the district to realize cost savings by consolidating three schools into one. 

All of this is still up for debate, however. Hagen said the board will most likely hold another public forum in the fall. In the meantime, you can find all of the previous studies online at the Board of Education's web site.