To the Editor:
Our children deserve better, and quite frankly, so do we. The Region 18 Board of Education (BOE) has voted to put forth a $57.55 million referendum, of which over $52 million will be used to address heating and cooling issues in four schools. The BOE “information” mailer neglected to mention the price tag and misleads residents into thinking most of the money is going for renovations; whereas less than 10% is being dedicated to remodeling. Our children deserve better than to live through a three-year disruption due to Covid-19 and another major disruption caused by construction activities that has an estimated completion date in December of 2025 – especially when other solutions could be employed. Taxpayers deserve better because the proposed solution is the most expensive method to address the needs of our children.
Setting aside that the $57.55 million proposal does nothing to enhance learning and is the most expensive project ever proposed for either Town, the needless disruption that will be prevalent throughout the schools could be avoided if other, more appropriate methods were employed. Specifically, split unit air conditioners, which are designed to be installed in buildings with no existing HVAC systems (like our schools), require just two holes in a wall for each room. Since the condenser is outside, no noise is created by the system inside. In addition, HEPA filters can be incorporated, thereby ensuring quality air in the classrooms.
The BOE was never presented with different options. Instead, the engineering firm, which has a vested interest in managing the project as a percentage of the total cost, provided different estimates that varied by several million dollars of the same option. When residents started questioning the cost, the administration sought verification for costs from yet another firm, but never requested different options that could be less disruptive and less costly. Oddly, even the engineer’s reports never envisioned adding HVAC as a separate project but stated that the BOE should consider upgrading to an HVAC system during the next major renovation.
We’ve been down this road before concerning the high school renovation. The BOE insisted that the proposed demolition and rebuilding of the high school was the best and most cost-effective option. When defeated at referendum, the BOE sought citizen input and ended up not demolishing the high school and saving over $13 million. As taxpayers, we should insist on the same process to ensure our tax dollars are not being wasted by an over-zealous administration. I urge you to vote No for the BOE referendum on November 8 and save our children the disruption this massive construction project would entail while holding the BOE fiscally responsible for our tax dollars.
Sincerely,
Steven Cinami,
Old Lyme.
Steve Cinami is correct.
As echoed by Randy Nixon and Dave Kelsey, both seasoned professionals in this type of bidding, the “process” used to arrive at the “scope” of work was tainted.
Vote NO on the referendum allowing an “objective” view of the scope of work needed, saving the tax payers $ AND giving students the learning environment they deserve!
Perhaps some of the money the district is wasting on armed guards could be used to improve the buildings.
To my knowledge, no one has informed the taxpayers of the TRUE cost of this useless endeavor.
It is a shame that partisan politics have invaded our schools. Our children are all adults, so we have none in the schools in Lyme and Old Lyme. I have never voted against reasonable investments in maintenance that are required to keep the schools operating and the children safe.
We will support the “$57.6M School Building Referendum”. Our children deserve the best that we can provide.
I’m sorry Mr. Gotowka. I somehow missed the part of Mr. Cinami’s letter that was “partisan”. As his last paragraph indicates, he is simply suggesting that, with more thought and input, this project can probably be accomplished at a lower cost.
So I’m looking at the third mailer from the LOL BOE. They want me to vote yes to spend $57 MILLION taxpayer dollars to DEMOLISH ( !!! ) 4 perfectly sound buildings because of these problems (???): :
” 1. Boilers & HVACs are “decades” out of date. (BRRR). 2. Two schools with no sprinkler systems & doors not secure from intruders. (Yikes) 3. Kids getting taught in hallways (Huh) 4) Not up to state codes (Dangerous) …………. ”
$57 Million. WHO DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO??? This proposal would be like me taking out a HUGE mortgage — I mean bond — to demolish my house & build brand new because I wanted to upgrade my bathroom. If this proposal wasn’t so insulting to the working people in LOL who have to pay bills like Eversource, it would be a joke. I agree with Steven Cinami 100%. P.S. Where can I get my Vote NO lawn sign? Thank you in advance.
Terry, that mailer was not sent by the LOL BOE, it was sent by an outside group. Please do note that the proposed plans do NOT involve demolishing any buildings.
You can find information here: https://www.region18.org/district-information/referendum
or watch one of the public meetings and see a presentation here:
:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF2_W7yYtFwx067Ici9776Q/live
I voted absentee and it was a strong NO. I’m still waiting to hear how much the pointless armed guards + weapons+insurance increases, etc. are going to cost us. My suspicion is that it is all included in the $57,000,000.