Middle School Reopens After Major Renovation In Newington

NEWINGTON, CT — Students and educators at John Wallace Middle School are starting the school year in a newly renovated building following a project supported by more than $8 million in state funding.

State Reps. Kate Farrar, D-West Hartford, and Gary Turco, D-Newington, and state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, recently joined students, educators, administrators, town officials and community members for a grand reopening of the school.

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The project received $8,038,180 in state bonding funds, according to the lawmakers. The state grant provides a 75% reimbursement toward the project's total cost, reducing the amount paid locally.

"These newly finished renovations ensure that John Wallace Middle School provides students with a modern, safe, and welcoming learning environment for years to come," Farrar said. "The grand reopening marks an important milestone for the Newington community and reflects the value of our state and local partnership to invest in Connecticut's schools."

Turco said the state funding covered 75% of the project's cost.

"This is an investment not just in a building, but in Newington's students and in the future of our community," Turco said.

Lesser recalled touring the school with Newington Superintendent of Schools Maureen Brummett before the renovations.

"I remember going on a walkthrough of John Wallace Middle School with Newington Superintendent Brummett and others; it was like a time warp back to the 1970s," Lesser said.

Lesser said he and other members of Newington's legislative delegation worked to secure the funding through Public Act 24-151.

"This upgrade leaves students much safer and dramatically improves the learning environment," Lesser said. "The 75% reimbursement rate we secured saved Newington taxpayers millions of dollars."

The reopening marks the completion of the renovation project and the return of the school community to the updated facility.