Officials Answer Residents' School-Project Questions at Patch Forum

9:06 p.m.

Last question of the night ... "What would you say the largest misconception is, and how do we address it?" Principal Harnett says firmly, as is his way, "$25 million will not fix this building." He says it slowly, and looks his questioner right in the eye. If he told us to jump off a bridge in that tone, I  think we'd do it.

The mayor follows up that this project could help kickstart the job market. BOE Prez Brochu says, "What we're dealing with is systemic inadequacy," pointing to the special education area on the second floor of the library, which is separated from the rest of the library by a wall of filing cabinets. He says we're not just fixing this building. "We're designing a space for Berlin citizens who aren't even born yet."

Credits roll. Check out Patch later tonight and tomorrow morning for more coverage, including a video report, a "real" story, and more pictures. And remember to vote.

9 p.m.

A parent asks about the impact to learning during construction. Superintendent Erwin says he had a 10-year tenure at his previous district and they handled a school renovation fine. The key is to hire a good construction manager and have a good bidding process to define a "mobility plan" and phase the project in such a way to minimize disruption. Long-term, he says, the effects will be minimal. Most of the work will be done on second shift. During March when there's testing, moratorium on work. Any holiday will be a work day. Mayor Salina adds that now, the disruptions 

Student (I'm pretty sure ... if not, she can consider it a compliment) asks if the proposal gets turned down, will there be another proposal that's less expensive? Mayor says that in order to get $23 million in state reimbursement, they have to have a whole-school plan. They've cut it down as far as they can so far to still meet the state threshold.

8:55 p.m.

Mayor addresses possible fines and penalties if the project isn't approved. He says they are potentially devastating.

Student at high school speaks. She says all of the students agree with her that "it's not right when it rains on us." She says she went to her desk one day and there was a puddle of water in her chair. She says they had to move a classroom in the middle of mid-terms because of building issues.

8:44 p.m.

A woman said she was a "newbie" to the town, and moved here because everyone said the schools are great. But knowing what she knows now, she said she probably wouldn't move here because of the condition of the buildings. She urged everyone to get out the vote and tell their neighbors. Mayor Salina went down the list of things that are going to come to a head and cost money. "We talk about another proposal ... even if we try to do the bare minimum, with no reimbursement, you're up around $40 million."

8:36 p.m.

Brochu says fewer students than ever before were in the incoming freshman class this year, and it's because they're going to magnet schools. A third of the budget increase goes to paying magnet tuition. He worries that families are losing faith in their community. "My fear is that people abandon our community because of the school system."

8:35 p.m.

Mayor Salina: "We've paid into this pool of money we send to Hartford for years. Now it's our turn. ... If we don't do this now, I don't even want to know what happens on March 16. You'll see the for-sale signs going up. What kind of pride do we have in this community? I'm at the point right now that I'm embarrassed. ... Business want to come into a community that invests in itself. Nobody's going to want to come into a school system that is in danger of losing its accreditation. We cannot be shortsighted."

8:30 p.m.

Man asks what he can tell people, his neighbors, to convince them to get out and vote yes. Principal Harnett points to the fact that stairs near the main entrance are closed off. "If you want to meet me here at 10 o'clock after we get the rain we're supposed to get, I'll take you to Room 216 and we'll probably be shouting to hear each other over the amount of water pouring in." He also points out air-quality issues that have plagued certain rooms.

8:25 p.m.

Former BOE treasurer from 25 years ago gave a rousing speech in support of the proposal that drew applause. He asked everyone to get out and vote and closed with something to the effect of, "If you think the cost of education is too much, you should see the cost of ignorance." I think I heard the Battle Hymn of the Republic in the background. Almost a standing-o.

8:17 p.m.

Superintendent Erwin warns about the risk of the school losing its accreditation. It's rare, he says, but it has happened. They've taken a great step toward improving their accreditation scores with the approval of a new high school curriculum, but the facilities are out of their control.

BOE President Brochu says the accreditors said the facility is holding the school back.

Question about whether the school will be reaccredited with the building in this condition, and principal Harnett says that if the accreditors see a plan in place for a renovation, that's all they need to see, as long as it's approved. He says the accreditors said they want to hear from the town on March 16, the day after the referendum.

The next guy gets up and mumbles, and I can't hear him, so I figure it's a good time to post the next update.

8:09 p.m.

Applause breaks out when someone ferries in a score of the Berlin-Waterford Class M state playoff boys' basketball game going on next door in the gym. 47-33 Redcoats.

8:07 p.m.

Man asks, “What would happen if project delayed 3 years? Five years? What would happen to bonding, construction costs?”

Mayor Adam Salina: “I would imagine if everything else is being reduced (in the state budget), then that’s () going to be reduced.” He said he imagines construction costs will go up, as well as interest rates. “I don’t know if there’s any other time in our lifetime that we can borrow money at the rate we can now.”

7:48 p.m.

11-year-old student asks how long it would take. Obviously he wants to realize the benefits when he’s still in the system. Superintendent David Erwin says best-case scenario is 2015, if everything is approved and has no hiccups.

Woman asks about state reimbursement. Board of Ed president Gary Brochu says the answer is that the formula is complex. Depends on what the project is, plus the dollar amounts of specific parts of it, plus student enrollment. Total construction cost is $54 million. 

He adds later, “We’re making a decision by not making a decision. … Out of the 30 towns in Hartford county, we have the lowest debt per capita. We have been complicit.”

7:18 p.m.

Principal Matthew Harnett just welcomed the first tour group back and all the seats are nearly taken, with about 15 people standing up. Second tour group filtering in, plus assorted others. Chairs are long since stuffed.

7:05 p.m.

OK, so I was wrong. There's actually two tours, one at 6:30 and one at 7. Forum starts at 7:30. Channel 3's in the parking lot, and the first tour group is filtering back in.

Original, 6:30 p.m.

Patch's public forum on the proposal to renovate the high school is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. We're in the Media Center setting up our encampment now.

Keep checking back for updates, as we'll be posting the blow-by-blow as it happens. Late tonight, we'll have a full story up, followed by a video segment on the forum late tonight or early Friday.

Got a take on the issue? Share it with us in the comments below. Consider it a BHS renovation proposal tailgate party.