Riverside feasibility panel weighs adding two Pre-K classrooms; estimate could save town about $5 million

The Riverside School building committee told the Board of Estimate and Taxation that the RFP for an architectural firm went out on March 31 and that bid openings were scheduled this week. The committee also described a Board of Education discussion about restoring two Pre-K classrooms to the ed specs.

Mister Fenton, speaking for the Riverside committee, explained that Connecticut statute 10-285 increases the reimbursement percentage when a school project includes early childhood care and education space for children birth to 5 years. "If an elementary school building project includes space for an early childhood care and education program ... the percentage determined pursuant to this section for the school building project is increased by 15 percentage points," he said, and used the committees cost estimators figures to show potential savings.

Using a feasibility estimate of $45,500,000, the committees back-of-envelope calculation suggested adding two Pre-K classrooms would increase the reimbursement rate for the entire project and could lower the towns net cost by roughly $5,000,000; the presenter said the incremental operating costs for Pre-K (staffing, transportation) would be relatively marginal and that the final number of Pre-K classrooms depends on enrollment demand.

Board members asked about when the Board of Education might vote on ed specs and whether operating costs and transportation were included in the estimate; the presenter said the BOE may vote in May and noted that the number of Pre-K classrooms is determined by the count of eligible children, not merely space.

The committee will proceed with the RFP and evaluate cost and operating implications before finalizing ed specs; the board requested the committee circulate additional documentation to members ahead of upcoming budget and RTM timelines.