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Region 15 board approves referendum language for $224 million to replace two elementary schools, sets May 6 vote
Summary
After extended debate over how to present reimbursement estimates to voters, the Region 15 Board of Education voted unanimously March 23 to recommend a $224 million bond referendum to replace two elementary schools; the borrowing authorization will be reduced by grants currently estimated at 64.2% of eligible costs and the referendum is set for May 6, 2026.
The Region 15 Board of Education voted unanimously March 23 to recommend referendum language that would authorize $224,000,000 in borrowing to replace two elementary schools and to put the question to voters on May 6, 2026. The motion, as amended on the floor and cleared by district legal counsel, says the district’s borrowing authorization “shall be reduced by grants received, currently estimated to be 64.2% of eligible costs.”
The vote followed a sustained discussion about how that reimbursement estimate should be presented to the public. Several board members urged clearer language so prospective voters would understand that the $224 million figure is the project appropriation and that state grants are expected to cover a portion of eligible costs. The board recessed briefly so staff and counsel could retype and project revised language.
Josh, presenting the administration’s materials, said the capital application and grant assumptions were prepared under current state rules and that the estimated 64.2% reimbursement rate was calculated from eligible project costs. “We submitted conservative, realistic numbers rather than overstating a reimbursement rate,” he said. Legal counsel told the board the revised wording did not change the substance of the prior draft and was legally sufficient for the referendum packet.
Board members pressed for plain language for voters. One member said the motion should explicitly describe the grant figure as a “reduction” in the borrowing authorization so the public would not assume the bond amount was the net tax impact. After the recess the board approved the amended motion and set the referendum for Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
The resolution approved by the board appropriates $224,000,000 for construction to replace Pomparaug Elementary School and Gainfield Elementary School and authorizes bonds and notes in the same amount to finance the district’s portion of that appropriation. The authorization will be reduced by grants received, currently estimated at 64.2% of eligible costs.
Next steps: staff will finalize the referendum packet for town clerks and for the state application process; the district will continue public outreach in advance of the May 6 ballot question.
