Residents say funding, town support and clear numbers are needed before committing to consolidation

At the April 23 community forum, residents repeatedly raised the need for clear cost information, a town funding strategy and visible commitment from municipal leaders before Wallingford advances a plan to consolidate high schools.

Roxanne McKay, a longtime former board chair, said she supports consolidation in principle but criticized what she called long stagnation and urged the board to engage the town council and mayor about financial support because the council controls the "purse strings." Audience members and speakers urged the district to produce direct, comparable cost estimates for renovating both current high schools versus constructing a single new building.

Superintendent Belizzi said the district is following the board's February 2023 vote to pursue consolidation and that detailed renovation‑vs‑new cost comparisons could be prepared after the board approves ed specs if the board requests them. She said district staff had presented budget materials to the town council and that the district is tracking enrollment, state reimbursement rules and grant opportunities.

Several residents said the board should be more proactive in communicating with taxpayers who do not have children in the schools; they argued those voters will ultimately fund any capital project. Rob Fritz, who said he represents taxpayers without school‑aged children, warned that rising taxes and broader demographic trends require realistic budgeting. Forum speakers asked the district to produce clearer visual comparisons (current vs. proposed spaces), estimates of renovation costs for both schools and a timetable for when the board expects to make firm decisions.