Schools

Time To Vote on High School Plan is Tomorrow

Neither side has backed down as referendum draws near.

Residents will have a chance to vote on the high school "renovate as new" proposal tomorrow. All polling stations will be open tomorrow, Tuesday, from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. 

The plan has put Berlin residents in two different camps. A group called "Yes for Berlin" has gained groundswell support from parents hoping the plan will pass and the high school will be renovated and renovated as soon as possible. 

The dissenting view has said the dollar amount of the project is too much for the taxpayers to bear in these difficult economic times. 

Find out what's happening in Berlinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Some have said this is not a political issue but the sides have seemingly been split by political party with Democrats supporting the plan and Republicans opposing it. 

With a projected cost of $69.9 million and reimbursement from the state at 32.34 percent, the cost to the town is expected to be about $47 million.  The plan to "renovate as new" will address all current code violations plus air quality and accessibility issues and will give the school an entirely new look.  It reconfigures the school so that entry will be through a centrally-located main office, and a 25,000 square foot addition will provide more space for science labs and other educational needs. 

Find out what's happening in Berlinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The plan also calls for improvements to athletic courts and parking areas on the school grounds and improvements at Sage Park, which have been cited by the Office of Civil Rights.

 

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here