Opinion: Brookfield Resident Says Schools Should Be Top Priority For Candidates

Editor’s note: Brookfield Patch will accept letters to the editor on behalf of political candidates through Wednesday, Oct. 28. Email your letter to wendy.mitchell@patch.com.

A Letter to the Editor From Victor Bucci, Brookfield, CT.

To the Editor:

Brookfield needs to review its priorities. During the last two years, Brookfield decided to spend $250,000 as its share of a Connecticut STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant for sidewalks. During the past two years, Brookfield Village was promised a 1.3 million dollar tax incentive to build 79 residential units plus commercial space in the Four Corners. The recent bond issue doesn’t even begin to address all of the work needed in the schools. People move to Brookfield for the schools not for a town center.

Huckleberry Hill Elementary School needs a total renovation. No matter whether enrollment goes up or down, Brookfield will need HHES to educate our children. Safe, healthy, energy efficient schools should be the most important issue for the 2015 election.

What do our town leaders feel about this issue?

In 2012, a town capital projects committee identified the renovation of the school as a top priority.

Town of Brookfield Facilities Study Committee 8-16-2012 (quote)

“Huckleberry Hill Elementary School – the project includes reconfiguration of classrooms/grades, the elimination of portable classrooms, and improvements to the building. If any construction or renovation is done, the entire school will need to be brought up to code.”

http://www.brookfieldct.gov/Pages/BrookfieldCT_FacilitiesMin/2012/081612.pdf

At the October 21, 2013 First Selectman debate, then candidate, Bill Tinsley called the work needed at HHES “past due”. Howard Lasser, who was on the Town Facilities Committee, also spoke about the need to update HHES.

You Tube October 21, 2013 Video – “Renovations to HHES” (time 21:20)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uour-OZlkOU

Mr. Tinsley noted the HHES project in Brookfield Matters November and December 2014 issues.

“Looking ahead - well, I see great opportunity for us as we build our Town Center at the 4 Corners, and take on the planning for several important capital projects with Huckleberry Hill School being at the top of the priority list.” Brookfield Matters November 2014.

“We will have developed a concept plan for addressing school facility needs (capacity and improvements at Huckleberry).” from Brookfield Matters December 2014.

2015 Brookfield Plan of Conservation and Development Effective July 2, 2015 Pages 84-85 (quote)

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES A principle concern about Brookfield’s educational facilities is that they are aging. Established in 1938, Center School is the oldest wooden school building still in use in Connecticut. It holds pre-school, kindergarten and first grade classes. Maintenance of this building is key to continued use.

The roof of Huckleberry Hill School was replaced recently; however, the exclusive use of electricity to heat and cool this building is a substantial annual expense. Upgraded windows are needed to reduce heating and cooling energy losses. Brookfield High School completed a major addition during the prior planning period including classroom space and science facilities addressing the issues presented in the 2002 Plan. The gymnasium floor was refinished but upgrades to the auditorium continue to be a need.

At both Huckleberry Hill Elementary and Whisconier Middle School portable classrooms have been used to accommodate the need for more classroom space. A Space Utilization Study is underway by the consulting firm Milone and MacBroom to project the need for more permanent solutions to space requirements in light of projected demographic shifts and limited potential for addition of significant numbers of single family homes. Issue: Aging middle and elementary school facilities Goal: Upgrade our educational facilities, in particular Huckleberry Hill School and Whisconier Middle School, which have been utilizing portable classrooms, in order to provide high quality education facilities. (end quote).

Candidates for the Board of Selectmen, Board of Education, and Board of Finance should indicate their willingness to make school facilities, particularly HHES the top priority for 2016. Brookfield doesn’t need a study to tell us that HHES is going to be used for generations to come. The time has come to replace the aging portable classrooms. Brookfield can well afford top school facilities.

Victor Bucci, Brookfield, CT