Southington Plans To Close One School Amid Massive School Construction Project

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Board of Education voted 8-1 last week to adopt a two-phase facilities plan that would send a school construction proposal to referendum this June and ultimately close one elementary school.

The vote followed a lengthy presentation and public comment at the board’s Feb. 19 meeting at the John Weichsel Municipal Center.

What the plan includes

Southington Superintendent of Schools Steven Madancy introduced consultants Pat Gallagher of MP Planning Group and Charles Warrington of Colliers to present updated information on Phase 2 of the elementary facilities plan and estimated costs.

Gallagher reviewed the planning process, including building conditions, enrollment trends and multiple scenarios — from maintaining the status quo to several consolidation options.

He said closing Flanders would allow the district to “right-size” its elementary school portfolio to match declining enrollment.

Flanders has the smallest current and projected enrollment, and the Kelley site was described as more favorable for new construction than the smaller, irregularly shaped Flanders property.

Under the recommended option — referred to as Scenario D — Phase 1 would go to referendum in June 2026, with facility consolidation targeted for fall 2030.

Phase 2 would follow at a later date.

Warrington outlined estimated district costs:

• $43.9 million for a new Kelley Elementary School and expansion at South End Elementary School.
• $60.5 million for a new Derynoski Elementary School and a new Karen Smith Academy.
• Total estimated district share: $104.3 million.

The timeline includes a June 2026 referendum, submission of a state grant application, construction and redistricting.

Southington school board member Sean Carson asked about a potential additional 15% state reimbursement tied to early childhood legislation.

Warrington said that would be determined within the overall reimbursement rate for new construction.

Carson also asked about a space waiver determination; Warrington said he anticipates that decision in spring 2027.

Motion revised before approval

An initial motion to reapprove Phase 1 — the new Kelley School and South End expansion — was withdrawn after Board Chairman Zaya Oshana confirmed it had already been approved in May 2025.

A second motion was also withdrawn after member Colleen Clark said it did not clearly outline Phase 2 details.

Clark then made a motion, seconded by Joseph Baczewski, to adopt the Districtwide Facilities Committee’s full master plan recommendation.

Under the approved motion:

• Phase 1 calls for a spring 2026 referendum to construct a new, larger Kelley Elementary School and expand the lower level of South End Elementary. Upon completion, Flanders Elementary would close, and the district would redistrict its seven remaining elementary schools.
• Phase 2 calls for a second referendum at a date to be determined to build a new Derynoski Elementary School and relocate the Karen Smith Academy to the lower level of the Derynoski site.

The motion passed 8-1, with Dawn Derynoski-Anastasio voting no.

Board members cite finances, flexibility

Baczewski said the process “has been a transparent process,” noting public meetings and opportunities for comment.

“Every decision that the board comes to is not decided solely on fiscal responsibility,” he said, adding that while he does not like the idea of closing a school, “we have to do what is right for right now.”

He said future boards could revisit decisions if conditions change.

Clark called it “a hard decision,” adding that “none of it has been done in secret” and that the board is trying to make an equitable decision.

Cecil Whitehead pointed to the former North Center School, now the Municipal Center, as an example of how a building can be repurposed.

If that is an indicator of what could happen with Flanders, he said, “it is a pretty good future indicator of what can potentially be done.”

Lisa Cammuso said she supports neighborhood schools and acknowledged the emotion surrounding a closure.

“Children bounce back easier than adults; when they go to a new school, they will make friends and have fun,” she said.

She added that enrollment projections could change in five to six years, when a future board would decide whether to move forward with a new Derynoski and Karen Smith Academy.

Robert Brown said both sides agree on Phase 1 and noted the cost of maintaining aging buildings under a “do nothing” scenario.

He said the board hired a reputable firm, held public hearings, and has been transparent. He also recommended that the Flanders property not be converted to residential use, suggesting open space or community reuse instead.

Terri Carmody said board members have “mixed feelings” but are focused on what is best for students and the town’s future.

Carson said that given uncertainty in federal and state education funding, “the time is now, and the time is right.”

He said the plan has the best chance of securing the highest reimbursement rate and is fiscally responsible for both families and taxpayers without children in the district.

“Memories and relationships are not lost with the moving or closing of a physical building,” he said.

Oshana thanked the Districtwide Facilities Committee and said no determination has been made about the future use of the Flanders property, which is already town-owned.

He said he hopes it could be repurposed as a community center.

Residents divided

During public comment, several residents urged the board not to close Flanders Elementary School.

Kimberly Troccolo of Crest Road said closing Flanders to gain funding and increase building utilization “will negatively impact Southington Schools as a whole.”

Traci Ianni of Plantsville said renovating or rebuilding Flanders would be “an investment worth making” and urged the board to reconsider options beyond cost savings.

Shama Green of Memorial Drive said she felt “unheard and dismissed” after contacting board members and raised concerns about transparency and communication ahead of a referendum.

Sherrie Shover of Tanglewood Drive asked the board to consider the impact on children, saying Flanders represents “stability” and “community” and warning that consolidation could push students into spaces not designed as classrooms.

Michele Otero of Andrews Street said closing any school would lead to larger class sizes and affect every school in the district.

Other residents supported moving forward.

Angela Lauretano of Hitchcock Road said the plan would benefit students for decades and is “the least destructive and most cost-effective.” Students and staff, she said, “deserve to have a safe, up-to-date school.”

Megan Mele of West Street said rebuilding Kelley would modernize learning spaces and improve efficiency, adding that delaying the project would increase future costs.

Seth Korn of Yorktown Road said, “The time is now to proceed,” and offered to collaborate with the board to advance the project.

What happens next

The board’s vote advances the master plan but does not authorize construction.

The first binding decision would come through a townwide referendum expected in June 2026.

If approved, construction on a new Kelley Elementary School and expansion at South End would proceed, followed by redistricting and the planned closure of Flanders.

A second referendum for a new Derynoski Elementary School and Karen Smith Academy would be scheduled at a later date.

School officials back in 2023 explored the same proposal, but put it off, citing tight application deadlines for potential grants, combined with staff issues at the state education department at the time.

For the minutes of the Feb. 19 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.

From Sept. 25, 2023: 'Southington School Reconfiguration Plan On Hold Indefinitely'