It’s the issue that won’t go away. After last year’s failed referendum for a $54 million rebuilding project, residents of Lyme and Old Lyme are faced with the decision of what to do with Lyme-Old Lyme High School.
Before the residents of both towns is a proposal to significantly renovate the existing 30-year-old high school, addressing deficiencies cited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in the school’s ongoing re-accreditation and code compliance to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act and fire safety. It also would replace leaky windows and the roof, improve energy efficiencies, and fix heating and cooling problems.
The estimated cost is $47.8 million, anticipated to be reduced for taxpayers to $39.9 million by state reimbursement and energy grants.
Total renovated space of approximately 110,000 square feet includes 20 classrooms, bringing them up to size with current state standards; five science labs; one business classroom; two art rooms; the technical education space; two computer labs; two music spaces; and the media center. Administrative space and the cafeteria/lobby area also would be renovated.
Proposed new construction of roughly 15,000 square feet was described in the school district’s August newsletter as planned only to add features lacking in the existing school, such as a secure front entrance next to a consolidated administrative area and improvements to the cafeteria/lobby area.
There also is a list of items dropped from the higher-priced May 2007 plan. Gone are plans for an auxiliary gym, additional baseball field and sports parking, more student parking, a central office building, and two seminar rooms, as well as other outside sports-related amenities.
The average annual tax impact to residential property owners is estimated at $96 per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation in Lyme and $132 in Old Lyme, based on 23 years. For a home valued at $500,000 in Lyme and assessed at 70 percent, the average annual tax impact would be $336 per year; in Old Lyme, $462 per year for similar terms.
“For the third time in the last eight years, we have put forward a proposal to do a comprehensive renovation,” said Susan Fogliano, chair of the Region 18 Board of Education.
The first renovation proposal was defeated in 2000 as renovations to other school buildings and district facilities were completed. Last year was one of acrimony as people disagreed on process, transparency, and Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold formed the Citizens Building Committee, which developed an alternative building plan.
Get The Fact$, a grass-roots political action committee, sprang up to ask questions and oppose the proposal. Old Lyme voters defeated what Lyme residents passed. The school board debates drew a larger crowd than the Old Lyme selectman’s debate. Makeup of the school board changed, too.
After months of work, a new building committee, which included opponents to the 2007 proposal, gave its unanimous approval to this new plan. On July 23 the school board voted 7 to 1 in support of the proposed renovation. Board member Christopher Carter, Old Lyme, voted no.
Selectmen from both towns, including Griswold, have stated their support for the new renovation plan.
Voting to increase taxes is never an easy sell, and despite political civility, there is still opposition to a major expense like this, particularly in this sour economy.
In an effort to reach summer residents, in early September, Get the Fact$ mailed instructions on how to file absentee ballot application forms to members of the Federation of Old Lyme Beaches.
This was followed by a Sept. 21 letter from Scott Boulanger, federation president, to federation members, stating that the organization is not advocating a specific position on the plan. He encouraged members to do their homework and make an educated vote.
Fogliano noted that the building, now 30 years old, continues to age. Many of its systems have reached the end of their useful life. In November, the NEASC will be coming back for a status update on academic deficiencies, and the fire marshal will be asking about code compliance, she said.
“As two responsible communities, we have to confront the problems,” she said. “Hopefully, the public will understand that this renovation plan is an appropriate solution.”
Meanwhile, state standards continue to evolve, placing more requirements on educational facilities, old or new.
“The State Board of Education is about to vote on the state high school reform plan that will require high schools to provide three years of laboratory science for graduation,” she said.
New state rules will require suspended students to remain in the school, in a space isolated from the rest of the student population. This will take effect in about a year.
“An appropriate bonded capital project is the smart choice for a municipality so you can spread your costs over time,” Fogliano said. “You’re likely to have a better opportunity to get reimbursement or energy grants and to get better overall bids to fix things like the roof as part of a larger renovation, instead of piecemeal over time.”
While the timing is hardly ideal, given Wall Street’s meltdown and frozen credit markets, Fogliano pointed out that if the project were approved, the district probably wouldn’t be issuing bonds until 2010 or 2011. Both towns have the highest possible bond rating and risk-averse bonding policies, she said.
In compliance with state laws, the school district’s fact sheets about the renovation plan now appear on a school referendum blog hosted by Lymeline.com, although meeting minutes of the board and the Building Committee can remain posted on the district’s Web site, www.region18.org and residents with questions can call or e-mail Betty Osga, Region 18 superintendent, at 434-7238 or eosga@region18.org.
Where and When to Vote
The vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Lyme residents vote at the Lyme Firehouse on Hamburg Road; Old Lyme residents vote at the Cross Lane Firehouse in Old Lyme.