Town Council Approves $56 Million for Stratford High Renovations

After the Ordinance Committee conducted the obligatory public hearing on the issue, the full Town Council met in special session Monday night and approved by an 8-2 vote a resolution authorizing temporary bonding for the $56+ million renovation of Stratford High School. 

The vote clears the way for the Board of Education to submit the required paperwork to the state by June 30 in order to qualify for 50% state funding of the SHS renovation project that will basically “bring to new” the town’s namesake high school located across the street from Town Hall. 

At the Ordinance Committee meeting chaired by Councilwoman Stephanie Philips, a letter endorsing the project from Supt. of Schools Irene Cornish was read to open the required public hearing. Eight residents then spoke during the public hearing, all acknowledging the need for renovations. 

Throughout the winter and into this spring, dozens of residents have expressed their opinions on the Stratford High renovation plan. The great majority have spoken in favor. 

On Monday night, perhaps Lordship resident Walter Rimkunas spoke for all those in favor, noting “I am the father of five children who have graduated from Stratford High school and all have done very well. 

“If you people on the Council have the chutzpa then you will OK these renovations tonight and bring Stratford High up to par and make it competitive with Bunnell. 

“This project has been stalled too many times,” Rimkunas said, echoing statements he has made at previous Ordinance Committee and full Town Council meetings this year. 

“For 20 years it’s been stalled and all we’ve heard is that we don’t have the money. 

“Yet, we built the Taj Mahal across the street because the old firehouse wasn’t good enough … 

“We built a new dog pound – good. 

“And we’re going to spend $23,000” for someone to watch over the science lab project so that they do it right, “which is a joke,” he continued.

“And after we put a $1.5 million rug on a ballfield at Bunnell, what did Stratford High get? Zilch. 

“I want to see a 10-0 OK vote on this tonight.” 

Other speakers cited the general overcrowding, the six wave lunch periods, inadequate library, crumbling infrastructure, and substandard windows and bathrooms as reasons to approve the project. 

After the public hearing during the special Town Council meeting, Councilman Jason Santi made the motion to approve with Matt Catalano offering a second prior to the 8-2 vote to approve.