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Region 15 Board of Education Newsletter
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Volume 3, Issue 1, March 30, 2026
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POP QUIZ. What do these photos have in common with Region 15 schools?
In 1941, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill just before the United States entered World War II. That same year, Gainfield Elementary School was built to replace Bullet Hill School. In 1967, the Vietnam War was a topic of national debate, the Beatles were at the height of their cultural influence, and Pomperaug Elementary School opened.
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Board proposes rebuilding GES and PES
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THE REGION 15 BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED TO REBUILD BOTH GAINFIELD AND POMPERAUG ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ON THEIR EXISTING SITES. There will be a separate question on the Wednesday, May 6 referendum ballot to approve funding for the project. If approved, the new schools would be built behind the existing buildings, followed by demolition of the current schools.
Our district is approaching an important decision about Gainfield Elementary School (GES) and Pomperaug Elementary School (PES). Both have reached the point where significant investment will soon be required.
Major building systems will need attention in the coming years, including roofs, mechanical systems, and the replacement of portable classrooms. Addressing these needs will require substantial investment regardless of the path the district chooses.
The question before the community is not whether money will need to be spent, but how it should be spent.
Over the past several years, the Board of Education has studied these options through a formal feasibility process that evaluated renovation, new construction, and alternative sites, using cost estimates developed by professional architecture and construction firms. The proposal now under consideration reflects the findings of that work, along with potential state reimbursement opportunities that could significantly offset the cost to local taxpayers.
Many communities across Connecticut are facing similar decisions as school buildings constructed in the mid 1900's reach the end of their useful life. Districts throughout the state are investing in modern facilities to support their communities and remain competitive in attracting families.
Ultimately, the decision to fund this project belongs to the voters. Residents are encouraged to learn about the proposal and participate in the referendum process.
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Plan can ease pockets of overcrowding at Middlebury Elementary School
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The plan is also expected to help balance enrollment across the district. Capacity at the two new schools will be larger than present capacity. This will allow some future student placements at MES to shift to LMES, and future LMES students to shift to GES and PES.
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Why build new schools instead of renovate?
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While renovation can address certain building systems, it can also present challenges when working within the limitations of older structures. Renovations often require phased construction around an occupied school, temporary relocation of classrooms, longer construction timelines, and upgrades to bring older buildings up to current building and safety codes. Learn more at https://www.r15facilitiesupdate.com/faqs
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State reimbursement to offset costs
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Region 15 plans to take advantage of state funding.
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Under the proposal currently being considered, Region 15 would borrow approximately $80-90 million to finance the local share of the project.
The estimated total construction cost is approximately $224 million, with the State of Connecticut expected to reimburse about 64.2% of eligible costs through its school construction grant program. This estimate already reflects additional funding eligibility associated with expanded preschool and special education space included in the project.
Timing is an important factor. The Board of Education is seeking voter approval this May so the district can submit its school construction grant application to Hartford by the June 30 statutory deadline. Under state law, projects submitted on time are eligible for reimbursement according to the state’s funding formula.* It is not clear how long the state will continue offering enhanced reimbursement for preschool and special education; without this specialized funding, the reimbursement rate would be under 50%.
Communities across Connecticut regularly build new schools with support from Connecticut’s school construction grant program, which has provided billions of dollars in funding to local districts since 2020 alone.** Towns such as Avon, Simsbury, Madison, Cheshire, and Seymour have completed school projects and will receive substantial state funding. Region 15 taxpayers contribute to this statewide system, and this GES/PES project would allow the district to access those same resources to help modernize its schools.
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Region 15 welcomed state leaders to Pomperaug and Gainfield Elementary Schools on February 2, 2026, for on-site walkthroughs, providing a firsthand look at the needs of our schools. Pictured left to right during their visit to GES: Marion Manzo, BOE Chair; Heather Mack, ELA Coach; State Sen. Eric Berthel (Southbury, Middlebury); Heather Rodgers, BOE Treasurer; State Rep. Bill Pizzuto (Middlebury); State Rep. Jason Buchsbaum (Southbury); State Rep. Art Jensen (Southbury); and Casey Larkin, assistant to State Sen. Joan Hartley (Middlebury); Jon Romeo (GES principal).
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Estimated household tax impact
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Based on current estimates, what the project could mean for the average household.
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Residents understandably want to know how the proposed project could affect property taxes.
Like most major municipal infrastructure projects, new schools are financed through long-term municipal bonds. This works much like a mortgage on a home: instead of paying the full cost at once, the community spreads the cost over time, typically over 25–30 years.
The Board of Education is working with municipal financial advisors to structure the borrowing. Borrowing costs are somewhat higher during the first several years before stabilizing over time. This type of structure is common for municipal construction projects and helps manage long-term borrowing costs.
Based on current projections, the estimated tax impact in both towns would increase by approximately $7–$14 per month for a median single-family home and $2–$4 per month for a median Heritage Village condominium in the first year, assuming a 30-year bond. Similar annual increases are expected for approximately seven years, resulting in a cumulative impact before leveling off.*
It is important to note that the Board of Education does not set property tax rates. While the district can estimate the cost associated with school construction borrowing, the towns ultimately determine the property tax mill rate each year as part of their budgeting process.
Actual school and town budgets and the resulting tax bills will vary depending on several factors, including changes to the grand lists, state-mandated property revaluations, future state education funding, interest rates, and other school and town budget decisions. The towns may also choose to offset some budget increases using reserves. For purposes of this estimate, current conditions are assumed to remain unchanged, and the figures shown reflect only the projected tax impact of the proposed school construction.
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Why aren't we rebuilding the schools at IBM or at the Training School?
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Land acquisition and remediation costs make building at the IBM and Southbury Training School sites cost ineffective. Also, available property at the Training School is limited to a parcel with less-than-ideal usable space, and there are bureaucratic hurdles to overcome for Region 15 to obtain the land from the state. The Board feels the time to act is now. Learn more about site considerations at: https://www.r15facilitiesupdate.com/faqs
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