Danbury Voters Pass $208M School Bond Referendum

DANBURY, CT — Voters passed a $208 million bond that will fuel the construction of a new Danbury Career Academy on property to be purchased at the site of the former Cartus Corporation headquarters.

The referendum vote was 2,461 in favor and 433 opposed.

"Tonight, Danbury voted definitively – six to one – in favor of building a new public school. This is a strong vote of confidence in our students, in our educators, in Danbury Public Schools and in the future of our City. The Career Academy will put Danbury on the map as the first high school in the state to adopt a district-wide career pathways curriculum," said State Sen. Julie Kushner in a statement released after the vote Tuesday.

The bond will also cover various upgrades and improvements at Danbury High School, Hayestown Avenue Elementary School and King Street Primary School. A portion of the funding will also go toward addressing district-wide overcrowding.

"Today is a great day for the City of Danbury and the future of the Danbury Public Schools," Mayor Dean Esposito said. "Once again, Danbury demonstrates it is the shining star of the State of Connecticut as it will be the first city or town in the state with a 'Career Academy' focused curriculum. This new educational model will be district wide, and will revolutionize our education system broadening opportunities for all of Danbury students."

The Danbury Career Academy Model will contain six academies, including Emerging Technologies, and Entrepreneurship; Scientific Innovation and Medicine; Information and Cyber Security; Professional and Public Service; Art, Engineering and Design; and Communication and Design.