Branford Board Of Ed OK's $196M Plan To Expand, Renovate 2 Elementary Schools, Eventually Close Another

BRANFORD, CT — Branford Public Schools is moving forward with its facilities master plan proposal to expand and renovate two elementary schools and eventually close another, the Board of Education approved at its Aug. 19 meeting.

During the meeting, school superintendent Dr. Christopher Tranberg noted that the district has been "calling this once-in-a-generation opportunity."

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"This is just truly an exciting opportunity to attend to the needs of our schools and not only have more beautiful and higher-functioning buildings, but also to really address the educational programming and create opportunities for future generations of kids," he said.

Under the plan, Mary Murphy and Mary Tisko elementary schools would undergo major renovations and expansions, adding full-size gyms, larger cafeterias, and pre-K classrooms.

Once the two schools are completed, the district will begin consolidating students and operations from the nearly 100-year-old John B. Sliney Elementary School.

The expansion and renovation plan is part of a broader effort to modernize the district's aging school facilities while consolidating students into updated buildings.

Learn more here.

The district is currently applying for a state Priority School Construction Grant, with an application deadline of Oct. 1. If awarded, the state would reimburse 72 percent of the project's estimated $196 million cost.

Officials said the district would have two years to begin construction after receiving the grant, and construction is expected to take around two years. Currently, the plan for construction at the elementary schools is projected to begin in 2028, according to the district.

The Board of Education also voted to approve the educational specifications for both Mary Murphy and Mary Tisko elementary schools, marking another milestone in the district's facilities plan.

The approvals were necessary to keep the projects on schedule for the state's Priority School Construction Grant application this fall.