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East Greenwich officials outline school construction options as costs top $150 million in preliminary estimates
Summary
Town manager and school construction committee scheduled two public meetings in October to present narrowed options for three elementary schools and the high school; officials warned the full package likely exceeds $150 million and discussed financing, timing and the five-year stage-3 window.
The East Greenwich Town Manager updated the Town Council on the school construction program on the evening of the council meeting, saying consultants will present a narrowed set of options at two public meetings scheduled for Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 at the Swift Community Center.
The manager said the internal working group and full consultant team will present scenarios that range from all-new construction to combinations of new builds and renovations for the three elementary schools — Frenchtown, Hannaford and Meadowbrook — and options for the high school. The town will move from weekly to biweekly consultant meetings to allow more complete deliverables to be reviewed at each session.
“Unless the committee takes a pivot, it is going to be a number, because of market conditions that will ... definitely exceed $150,000,000,” the manager said, warning the full scope discussed to date will most likely surpass the figure voters previously approved.
Several councilors pressed for clarity about cost estimates and decision authority. One councilor noted that the school committee advanced stage 2 without third‑party cost estimates and said delays have led to the loss of PAYGO reimbursements that were included in the earlier fiscal impact assessment. The councilor said the estimate that had been used in the fiscal impact statement is no longer reliable and that the town will face choices about scaling back work or finding additional funding.
Councilors and staff discussed financing options, including whether to return to voters for additional authorization, whether to use preauthorized but unissued debt, and how bond sale premiums might affect net tax impacts. The manager said he was not comfortable sending a new referendum at this time and that the council will be briefed by bond counsel and fiscal advisors before any final financial decisions.
The council was reminded that state rules create a five‑year window from stage 2 approval to complete the project, which constrains scheduling decisions. The council scheduled several meetings and expects the school construction committee to develop recommendations for the full council after the October presentations.
The town manager said the public meetings are intended to give residents a chance to digest options, ask questions and provide input before the council considers financial decisions.
The council did not take any final vote on options or financing at the meeting; the manager said further meetings and financial briefings will follow.
