It might feel like we’re deciding as a town whether to spend money or not. But actually, the cost of doing nothing is quite high. The longer we delay passing this referendum, the higher costs will rise. And the “maintenance only” option presented by TSKP costs about $55 million dollars. By renovating all 5 schools, property values go up, we decrease utility costs as we make energy-efficient upgrades, and we follow through on our commitment to equitable schools across the town.

A swing school site is a location where a school will be built first so that students have somewhere to go while their school is being renovated. Swing schools bring down overall costs on a project because construction is not only limited to non-school hours, and multiple areas of the school can be renovated at the same time. Being able to work full-days while students are safely learning elsewhere increases efficiency and decreases cost. Completing a school efficiently saves money! The swing school is a permanent structure and becomes the new neighborhood school. 

Both South Windsor and Manchester opted for a swing school to facilitate their comprehensive renovation plans of their elementary schools and found the decision to be successful.

Right now, three options for the site of the swing school are being considered: Highcrest North, Kycia Farm, and Stillman.

One big opportunity Wethersfield gains in this comprehensive plan is a separate school for grades 5 & 6. This decision was spurred by the fact that most elementary schools in CT do not have 6th grade in their elementary schools, and it is an opportunity for our children to experience a middle school model, before moving on to SDMS and WHS. Webb was once a middle school, and has some features left from that time like a full auditorium. The State of CT only reimburses towns for schools that meet certain requirements, and renovating an auditorium in an elementary school would not be reimbursed. So rather than get rid of it, we’re presented with an opportunity to tailor that school to our 5th and 6th graders who have often outgrown elementary school life. It will allow us to centralize resources for those grades in one school, customize curriculum and facilities to that age group, and allow the kids to get to know each other beyond their neighborhoods before venturing off to middle school. 

Once the swing school is complete, Webb will be the next school to be renovated. When it’s done, all 5th and 6th graders will get to move to their new home and current Webb families will be redistricted to other elementary schools. We know that’s a lot of change for that community and will be as sensitive as possible to create a thoughtful adjustment.

We know that all of this has been a long time coming and families are eager to see progress. Right now we’re set for a September referendum. Once it passes, we’d be looking at construction starting on the swing school in 2027. It is anticipated that each school will take 14-24 months to complete. It will take about 8-9 years to complete the entire project with the last school expected to be done by 2035-2036. 

We know that’s a long time. But that’s why it’s essential that we come together as a town to move this effort forward and make sure the referendum passes.

It may be helpful to know that, like South Windsor and Manchester, we are likely to need two referendums in total. The one in September of this year will address the swing school, Webb, and one additional school. The second referendum will include Emerson Williams and the remaining school. Some people have asked, “What if the first referendum passes and the second one doesn’t?” In the combined experience of everyone participating in this effort, that has never been seen. Typically, once momentum has been gained and towns see real progress from the first round of construction, there is even more enthusiasm and the second referendum passes by a wider margin.

We know how important preschool is to the families of Wethersfield.

Right now, our preschool program is located at Webb Elementary. In the comprehensive plan, preschool will remain centralized so that resources can continue to be shared in one place, keeping costs down and access equitable. It will find a new permanent home in one of the renovated elementary schools once construction starts on Webb and becomes the 5/6 academy.

If you have questions about early childhood programs, please reach out to Kimberly Bobin, Family & Early Childhood Coordinator for Wethersfield at kbobin@wethersfield.me