East Haven awarded $250,000 planning grant for Overbrook Early Learning Center study

The East Haven School District announced it has received a $250,000 Community Investment Fund planning and facility-study grant to study renovation and possible expansion of Overbrook Early Learning Center, the district superintendent said during a board meeting.

The grant will fund a facility study and planning work that the superintendent said will form the basis for applying for a later round of Community Investment Fund capital awards, which can pay for construction or major renovation projects. "It's a $250,000 planning, and facility study grant for Overbrook Early Learning Center specifically to expand, study the facility and get ideas for potential renovation and expansion of that site to make it more of a comprehensive community hub," the superintendent said.

The study is a required step before the district can apply for a subsequent round of capital funding, the superintendent said, noting that larger awards are available: "someone was awarded $10,000,000 today," the superintendent said as an example of potential later funding. Because the town of East Haven is the formal grantee, the superintendent said the district may need to follow the town's procurement and bidding procedures when hiring architects, engineers or contractors for the study and for later work. "Technically, the town of East Haven was awarded the grant even though the Board of Education side wrote it. It had to be signed off by the mayor. So we might have to follow their bid procedures," the superintendent said.

Board members asked for clarifications about the timeline and scope. The superintendent said the district did not yet have a firm timeline for the study and that the work could include engineering and site tests if the district pursued a major renovation: "It might involve some perk tests, it might involve some internal behind-the-walls testing, soil samples, lots of different stuff if we're looking for a major renovation project," the superintendent said. The superintendent added the grant award decision was recent and that staff would bring details to the board as they become available.

The district did not take a formal vote at the meeting on contracting or appropriations tied to the study; board members were informed of the award and next steps.

Officials said they will return with procurement steps and timelines when those details are confirmed.