Mayor Rilling Proposes 5-Year, $172.8 Million Capital Budget For Norwalk Schools: Report

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling is proposing a five-year capital budget of $172.8 million for Norwalk schools, which will pay for constructing two new schools and improving the others, reports The Hour.

The proposal was reached as a compromise between Rilling and school district officials, and includes more than $42 million in reimbursements from the state. The Board of Education initially sought a capital budget of $245.5 million.

Norwalk's 19 schools will be improved in the plan, many of which have not received much funding for repairs over the years.

"Our children deserve a first class education which is why I fought so hard for this compromise," said state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-25th) in a statement. "Working together, we have been able to put forward a realistic plan that will result in Norwalk’s children being educated in an environment that is safe and conducive to learning. Building new schools, while ignoring the majority of our existing schools, was never the proper course. The revised plan addresses years of neglect and deferred maintenance. I want to thank all of the parents, teachers, staff, students and residents of Norwalk who reached out to me in support of fixing our current schools. Thanks to you, we are on a path to see real improvement."

"Throwing money only into new buildings will not necessarily contribute to academic excellence," added state Rep. Bruce Morris (D-140th) in a statement. "We need to focus, as this plan does, on not only new buildings, but improving what we have and addressing many years of required maintenance and improvements to the existing infrastructure. I am pleased to have played an important role in moving this course of action forward."

Click here to read the full story on The Hour website.

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