Wallingford board hears $390M–$426M estimates for single high school vs. renovate-as-new options

Wallingford Board of Education members received detailed budget estimates and state-reimbursement scenarios Aug. 18 as consultants outlined five options for high-school facilities, including a single consolidated high school with an ASTE (Applied Science, Technology and Engineering) facility and renovate-as-new options for Lyman Hall and Sheehan.

The presentation, led by Superintendent Belize with consultants Scott Pellman and Chuck Morrington of Colliers, laid out projected enrollment (a 10-year projection of 1,577 students), base reimbursement rates and high-level estimated probable budgets for each option. “We have assumed renovation status meaning everything that's a repair or replacement in Lyman Hall and Sheehan would be repaired and replaced,” Scott Pellman said, adding that achieving state “renovation status” is conditional on proving renovation is cheaper than building new.

Why it matters: the options produce materially different town shares and state shares, and the board must weigh design choices (pool, dedicated classrooms, ASTE facility) that affect both building size and adjusted reimbursement rates. The town’s estimated share for options presented ranges from about $209 million to $254 million depending on the scenario and eligible state reimbursement; the total probable project estimates presented range from roughly $390 million (Option…