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Board outlines next steps, consultant work and financing questions for renovation referendum
Summary
The East Windsor Board of Education described consultant work, reimbursement considerations and referendum options; the ad hoc committee will refine conceptual designs and financing, with a likely phased approach prioritizing the secondary school before elementary work.
Board members used the meeting to summarize the next procedural steps for the renovation effort and to encourage public engagement with the ad hoc committee and posted materials. Jason Baoza and other residents were told to attend a 7:00 ad hoc committee meeting focused on financial considerations including state reimbursement and town borrowing capacity. A public website (www.ew.schoolpro.com) and mailed brochure were cited as sources for Q&As and updates.
District staff said consultants from CSG had met with stakeholder representatives — teachers, special‑education staff, school psychologists and others — to gather educational specifications. Staff emphasized that the district must balance educational program needs with state square‑footage rules that determine reimbursement levels. Board members said maximizing reimbursable square footage is important because state reimbursement can offset a substantial portion of project cost; one speaker cited an approximate 64% reimbursement figure for eligible projects.
Board members discussed referendum strategy: whether to place one or both projects on a single referendum ballot and whether to phase projects to shorten overall turnaround. The board indicated intent to present the two projects as a package for referendum to shorten the schedule, but the final decision will follow conceptual designs and costing. The district said work would likely be phased with the secondary (middle/high) prioritized first and the elementary work to follow.
No binding financial approvals or referenda were scheduled at the meeting; staff characterized timelines as fluid and tied to design completion and voter approval. The board adjourned after public comment; it directed continued ad hoc committee work and public outreach.
