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Middletown seeks state approvals, notwithstanding language for Kegwin School asbestos abatement and renovations
Summary
District staff said they will submit two state applications for Kegwin School (asbestos abatement and handrailing) once the school's projected K–12 population is confirmed; administrators are also pursuing additional notwithstanding language and state reimbursement at 66.07% for larger renovation items.
District administrators updated the Middletown Board of Education budget committee on plans and pending state approvals for work at Kegwin School, which will be reclassified from a middle school to a K–12 population for next year.
Natalie, district finance staff, said the district needs to confirm the projected school population before submitting two state applications (for asbestos abatement and handrails on three staircases). She noted the Department of Administrative Services accepts such applications on a monthly window—the first through the tenth—and the district is coordinating with state contacts to complete submission.
Dr. Matos said the city reallocated previously dedicated funds to cover an HVAC unit for the library/media area and reallocated remaining funds to the match portion of the asbestos application; he said these were reallocations rather than new funds. The district is also working with Senator Lesser’s office on “notwithstanding” language that would extend deadlines (for example the June 30 deadline) and allow the district to assemble quotes and documentation for larger renovation items to be submitted as a package.
Planned but not yet authorized work includes a basketball/blacktop area, chain‑link fencing, and network wiring drops in classrooms to support teaching devices. Administrators said some questions sent to the Department of Administrative Services required legal review and that the district is awaiting answers before proceeding with additional applications.
Clarifying details provided in the meeting included a previously approved transfer of $20,697 to provide the local match for the handrail grant and a plan to pursue state reimbursement for renovation work at the standard rate of 66.07 percent if approved.
Next steps: staff will finalize the updated student population for Kegwin, await responses from DAS to outstanding questions, submit the asbestos and handrail applications in the next applicable monthly window, and continue discussions with Senator Lesser’s office about extending deadlines for a renovation package.
