Region 14 BOE Discusses Maintenance Bond Project Vs. Referendum [POLL]

No doors on some of the stalls in the boys' bathrooms at came as a surprise to Region 14 Board of Education Chairman Chuck Cosgriff, at a Wednesday, April 11, workshop on the proposed bond maintenance project.

"The stalls don't have doors?" Cosgriff asked after NHS staffer John Dominello mentioned the fact to the board. "Why didn't we hear about that [earlier] in the budget process?"

After hearing from impassioned staff and coaches, Cosgriff said the boards needs to hear more statements like the following.

Dominello said his children were safe and had a great education in Region 14 schools, despite failing infrastructure. But he cited state championships in sports, Lucia Dressel winning awards for high school plays and .

"That happens at Nonnewaug High School," he said. "Think about that."

Dominello said if the Board of Education spent as much energy on the district's children that they had spent on reconfiguration and deconfiguration, major school improvements could have occurred.

"Now that's behind us," he said. "What's in front of us is that I won't support that $500,000. What I will support is a referendum that bundles that together with all the things we need."

Dominello was referring to a list of capital improvements Director of Grounds and Maintenance Mike Molzon was asked to present to the board. Molzon said that typically, capital improvements are a part of the proposed operating budget but were removed from this year's proposed 2012-13 budget.

The board is considering bonding out for some of the capital improvements via a bond maintenance project.

Director of Fiscal Services Jim Reese told Patch the board has to decide whether they want to pursue a maintenance bond project or pursue a referendum that includes maintenance repair items and as well as larger improvements to athletic fields, tennis courts and the Nonnewaug High School auditorium.

Region 14 Superintendent Jody Goeler said the district is in a difficult position.

"Do we need to look at getting a more aggressive plan to get the referendum out there or do we put maintenance issues in a bond and take advantage of the market right now?" he said.

Jim Uberti said he usually votes "yes" at every referendum but admits to being skeptical after hearing there could be another referendum on a maintenance bond project so soon after the operating budget referendum. He said the potential bond project as presented does not send the message of why voters should care.

"We have to rally the people who have a positive view," he said. "Give us something to work with. Give us something to work for. People don't rally around boilers. They really around new auditoriums or new athletic fields."

The following items comprise the potential bond project, not including 25 percent in fees and contingency.

Bethlehem Elementary School

Fire alarm system work: $19,000
Intercom/PA system: $21,000
Security system: $16,000



Asbestos removal project: $350,000

Nonnewaug High School

Elevator Project: $150,000
Fire alarm system: $25,000
Security system: $52,000
Six overhead doors at the Ellis Clark Building: $23,000

Board member Maryanne Van Aken said in a perfect world, everything in the district would be state of the art.

"We have a great strings program and they can't even perform on the stage because our acoustics are so horrible," she said.

Van Aken asked the board to look at the dropping enrollment and look at all options.

"Could we do a K-8 in Bethlehem and a K-8 in Woodbury and everybody gets their home school and we don't have to deal with the albatross of Mitchell School?" she asked.

Goeler said that is a great philosophical question. Patrick DiSarro, a parent, said there is only one way to find out how people feel.

"You don't know if you don't ask," he said. "It'd be a hell of a discussion."