Milford Schools' Consolidation Plan Could Cost Over $1.4 Billion

MILFORD, CT — A long-range facilities master plan that could reshape Milford Public Schools over the next two decades drew sharp criticism from some residents during a Board of Education meeting Monday, even as district leaders outlined the need for major investments and consolidation.

The draft plan calls for a future configuration of six elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools, down from the current eight elementary and three middle schools. Under the proposal, Calf Pen Meadow and Meadowside elementary schools and Harborside Middle School would eventually close, while both high schools would remain open and be renovated.

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Related: Plans Call For Closure Of 2 Milford Elementary Schools

School officials said the plan is driven by declining enrollment, aging buildings and evolving educational needs.

Board President Susan Glennon said enrollment has dropped by about 2,500 students over the past 20 years, while the district has largely maintained the same number of school buildings.

“Our buildings are 50 to 75 years old and will require multimillions in investment dollars going forward,” Glennon said. “In many cases, our buildings do not meet today’s educational needs.”

Superintendent Anna Cutaia said outdated facilities are limiting the district’s ability to serve students, pointing to undersized classrooms, inadequate special education spaces and a lack of dedicated areas for services like counseling and health care.

“Our facilities are a hindrance for our ability to program appropriately for all kids,” she said.

The plan, developed with consultants from Perkins Eastman, estimates total costs of $1.49 to $1.68 billion, depending on how quickly projects move forward, according to a presentation the consultant made at the meeting.

Officials said the work would likely stretch into the mid-2040s, with individual school projects taking about five years from approval to completion.

At best, Cutaia said, a new school would not open until 2031.

The proposed timeline begins with new construction at JFK and Live Oaks elementary schools, sites large enough to allow building while students remain in place. Those schools would then absorb students from the elementary schools slated for closure, creating temporary “swing space” for middle school projects.

Consultants said the sequencing is designed to balance costs, minimize disruption and allow the district to consolidate schools over time.

But several residents pushed back, particularly on the district's public engagement and the impact on students.

“The engagement has been minimal and very difficult to have,” one speaker said. “So to sit there and say that most of the community wants this consolidation, I think, is a flat-out lie.”

Another attendee questioned the process leading up to the proposal.

“Before going from eight to six schools, no community input or public engagement on that,” the speaker said.

Residents also questioned how the timeline would affect students moving through the system during construction and consolidation.

District leaders acknowledged the concerns and said no immediate changes are planned.

“This work is intended to be a building-focused plan that is designed for the long term,” Glennon said. “Nothing is going to happen immediately.”

Officials said feedback from the meeting will be used to refine the plan before any formal decisions are made.

View the full meeting by clicking here.