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School Building Committee delays referendum after DAS guidance; referendum now targeted for November 2026
Summary
The School Building Committee told the Board of Selectmen it received guidance from the Department of Administrative Services that lessens an expected negative fiscal impact from pending legislation, and the committee moved its target referendum to November 2026 while planning a grant application by June 30, 2027 to allow more public engagement.
The School Building Committee reported to the Board of Selectmen that Department of Administrative Services guidance clarifies a pending piece of legislation and, after analysis by the town's owners project manager, the change is not expected to have a negative financial effect on Willington's school project.
The committee, according to the board report, has completed procurement and onboarding of an owners' project manager and the architectural/engineering team and is developing preliminary design concepts that include: a new school on the existing Hall School site, an addition/renovation of the current All School building, or a new building on a prospective new property. The committee said the DAS guidance reduced uncertainty tied to legislation scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
First Selectman Mike McCoo relayed the committee's revised schedule: the SBC will alter its prior aggressive timeline and now is targeting a November 2026 referendum on a preferred project and a state grant application by June 30, 2027. The board and speakers emphasized that the extended timeline is intended to expand community engagement, giving residents more time to review options and provide input before a final vote.
Committee materials described work underway: enrollment projections and educational specifications have been validated, land evaluation and due diligence are in progress, and preliminary design concepts are being prepared for public review. The SBC also said it seeks to avoid potential reimbursement impacts tied to the earlier legislation by adjusting the application timetable.
The Selectmen and several residents urged continued outreach and clearer presentation of the options so voters will understand trade-offs between cost and long-term community benefits. The committee plans additional public meetings and said documents and graphics will be posted on the town website and distributed before the referendum.
