What's Happening in Norwich, CT…

On March 2, the Norwich Board of Education approved the idea to remodel four elementary schools.

The School Facilities Review Committee suggested the project to go with a consolidation plan in the works. The vote was 7-2 in favour, whereas when the motion did not pass a month ago with a 4-4 vote.

The proposal was reviewed because Republican Rashid Haynes took the seat of Susan Thomas, who did not participate in the initial vote. A total of 55 people, including parents, attended the meeting.

Dennis Slopak, a member of the board, wanted to centralize the schools, ranging from pre-kindergarten to grade six. The motion failed 8-1 before voting on the renovations. The public gave statements and the board discussed the issue in two hours. The project would cost a total of $144.5 million but only $57.6 million will not be covered by the state.

Slopak and another chairman, Aaron Daniels, disagreed on the legalities of the second vote. Although the board's attorney approved, Slopak stated that a lawyer cannot make that decision under the unique regulations of meetings.

A building committee must put together a presentation for the project and it needs supported by the Department of Education, the City Council, public forums, and voters. A printing company could help create clear colorful visuals to better explain the project and help the building committee pass the motion.