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Waterbury school officials pitch $100M preschool center; mayor, aldermen told state could cover most cost
Summary
Superintendent Darren Schwarz presented a plan to consolidate early‑childhood services into a dedicated Waterbury Preschool Center, describing a multi‑year project that could include up to 25 classrooms and estimates that state reimbursement could raise the usual 79% match to about 94% for dedicated early‑childhood space.
Waterbury Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darren Schwarz presented the board of aldermen with an early‑childhood consolidation plan on May 11 that would move scattered preschool programs into a single, purpose‑built preschool center.
Dr. Schwarz said the proposal would house birth‑to‑three services and up to roughly 25 classrooms, serving an estimated 163 general‑education and 353 special‑education preschool students when fully programmed. He highlighted chronic problems at Bucks Hill — a cluster of 10 temporary portables — including cramped classrooms, insufficient bathroom facilities and inadequate space for therapy and sensory equipment.
Addressing financing, Dr. Schwarz told aldermen that Connecticut’s Department of Administrative Services (DAS) typically reimburses districts at about 79% for school construction. "There is a strong opportunity" this cycle, he said, for an additional 15 percentage points aimed at early‑childhood space; "our rate would basically go from 79% to 94%," he said, while acknowledging final numbers will be set by DAS.
Aldermen and staff questioned staffing, operating costs and site selection; Dr. Schwarz said the district is in the early stages and must first secure permission to submit a grant application (the application window closes June 30 for the DAS priority list). He and staff asked aldermen to approve the administration seeking a grant and to consider bonding if the state award is sufficient; if the state award remains high, the local share could be materially smaller.
The finance committee later set a public hearing for the preschool bond/appropriation for May 26 so the board can receive public comment before making a decision on whether to proceed with grant application and bonding steps.
Why it matters: The proposal would relocate and expand services for vulnerable preschoolers, with the district arguing earlier intervention will reduce later special‑education costs and outplacements; the large capital price tag — and how much the city would ultimately pay after state reimbursement — were central to aldermen’s questions.
Quote: "This is a multi‑year project that to fruition would be about 3 to 5 years," Dr. Schwarz said, adding that the district is seeking permission now to file a grant application and to then refine costs and location in later steps.
