Trumbull Receives Reimbursement For Middle School Construction Project

TRUMBULL, CT — State Rep. Sarah Keitt announced Wednesday that Trumbull will receive a 44 percent reimbursement rate for the new construction of Hillcrest Middle School.

In a news release provided by the town, Keitt said the reimbursement rate was set through a bonding package passed in the House of Representatives and Senate in the final days of the legislative session.

"I'm pleased this funding is coming to Trumbull,"Keitt said in a news release. "First Selectman Vicki Tesoro, Superintendent Dr. Martin Semmel, and I worked to put together a strong bonding application. With the future of school construction reimbursement in question, Trumbull is fortunate to have secured this funding now."

First Selectman Vicki Tesoro thanked the state delegation, led by Keitt, whose "dedication and tenacity led to this great result" for Trumbull.

"If the Hillcrest Middle School referendum passes, the financial obligation on the taxpayers of Trumbull will be significantly reduced due to Representative Keitt's efforts," Tesoro said in a news release. "Our reimbursement rate from the state for new construction would have been 24.29 percent if we were not granted this increase to 44 percent. This is approximately a $27 [million] savings for our taxpayers should a new school be constructed!"

In 2023, Trumbull Public Schools completed a year-long, district long-range plan, which identified several priority projects, ranked according to the physical condition and programmatic need.

Hillcrest Middle School emerged as the first step in the long-range plan. The current middle school was built in 1967 and is at, or beyond, the end of its useful life, town officials said.

"I was thrilled to hear the news that our Hillcrest Building project was supported by both the House and the Senate, " Semmel said in a news release. "Our recently completed Master Facilities Plan identified Hillcrest Middle School as the school with the greatest need from both a physical and programmatic point of view. I want to thank our elected officials for working together to increase the State's reimbursement for this potential project."

The plan is to build a new Hillcrest Middle School to house 826 students in grades 6-8 on the existing campus, according to town officials.

The project must be approved through the town’s referendum process before construction can begin.