Southington board backs Phase 1 (Kelly and South End) and approves roof projects for separate referendum consideration
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Summary
The board voted to recommend construction of a new Kelly Elementary School and a South End build-out as Phase 1, and separately approved recommending roof replacements (Hatton, Strong, Thalberg) to avoid ballot competition. Members debated timing (May 2026 vs. November 2025) and emphasized that the board's action is a recommendation to the town council, not final bonding or referendum scheduling.
The Southington Board of Education voted on May 8 to recommend that the town council move forward with Phase 1 of the district's elementary-school facilities plan: construction of a new Kelly Elementary School and a build-out of South End School.
Board member Brown moved the recommendation that the district proceed with construction of a new Kelly School and the South End build-out; the board seconded the motion and recorded affirmative roll-call votes from Darrenowski, Brown, O'Connor, Williams, Carson, Cecil and Clark. Chair noted that two absent members (Kozewski and Carmody) had separately agreed with moving forward. The board's motion directs the superintendent to pursue the project with the town council; it does not itself authorize bonding or set a referendum date.
Board members and the superintendent debated timing and sequencing. Several members said they favored a May 2026 referendum to avoid competing capital questions on the ballot and to allow more time for cost estimates and campaign planning. "While sooner would be terrific, we were trying to look at it realistically... the best interest would be in May 2026," the chair said during discussion. The superintendent urged strategic timing to align with grant deadlines, public hearings and blackout periods related to bonding.
Members emphasized the phased approach: Phase 1 would address Kelly and South End, while later phases would evaluate the future of other schools (including Flanders and Darrenowski). One board member said the facilities committee designed the phases so redistricting and utilization could be shown to the state as required for funding approvals; the board's approval of Phase 1 does not commit to a specific dollar amount, the superintendent said.
The board separately approved a motion to request town consideration of roof replacements at Hatton, Strong and Thalberg Elementary schools, recommending that the town consider those roof projects for a November referendum so they do not compete with the school construction question. The superintendent explained roof-submission timing differs from school construction grant cycles and that submitting a construction project too early can trigger a "blackout period" that limits advocacy.
Public commenters at the meeting urged the board not to close neighborhood schools (notably Flanders) and asked the board to prioritize renovation over closure. Tracy Aiani, who identified herself and said she has lived in Southington for 53 years, said, "A decision to close a school... is not something I would support," and asked the board to consider rebuilding or renovating instead.
Town council chair Paul Chaplinski addressed the board during public communications and asked the board to specify a recommended referendum date when the district sends its request to the council: "The recommendation needs to be full from the board of education as to when you would like to see it on the referendum," he said, explaining the council needs a clear request to act.
Next steps: the board's recommendation will be forwarded to the town council and board of finance; the superintendent said he would work with the town manager to develop a timeline and determine grant-application deadlines and public hearings that influence the eventual referendum date.
