Letters: Two Readers Say 'Yes' to School Referendum Question

To The Editor:

On November 3, 2026, I will be voting YES on the Southington school construction referendum question. A Yes vote is a vote of support for our community as a whole, our schools, students, and families. I was fortunate to be able to experience forty-five years in public service, first as a School Psychologist, then Special Education Administrator and for sixteen years as a Superintendent of Schools; the last seven years in Southington. My wife and I have lived in Southington for more than forty-six years. All three of our children attended the Southington Public Schools and three of our grandchildren currently attend the Southington Public Schools.

School building and renovation projects are not new to Southington or any community for that matter. It is important for all communities to take care of their assets and all buildings owned by the Town are assets that benefit the entire community. The elementary school projects date back to the 1990’s and early 2000’s when Dr. Saloom was the Superintendent of Schools. Strong, Thalberg, Oshana and Hatton were renovated and some minor renovations took place at Derynoski. North Center School was closed and successfully repurposed. A new South End Elementary School was constructed. The remaining elementary schools were in what was called “Phase Three” at that time. The needs at the two middle schools became a primary concern and therefore the middle school projects were moved forward ahead of the remaining elementary schools. The library project was one that had been waiting in the wings for some time and that was also moved forward. The fiscal crisis in Connecticut in 2017, the Covid pandemic and disruptions at the State Department of Education School Construction Division delayed the current project even further, until now.

Discussions regarding the best solution for the remaining elementary schools have been taking place for at least twenty years. More active discussions began in earnest as the middle school projects were completed. As I began my term as Superintendent in 2014, some of my early discussions with former Town Manager Mark Sciota centered on the timing of a referendum for an elementary school project and possible Town uses such as a recreation center for the Flanders school building and property should school consolidation be required. Professional organizations specializing in school construction projects such as Colliers and SLAM were contracted as early as eight to ten years ago to provide updated enrollment projections and cost estimates based on their many years of experience and recent involvement in other school construction projects. The most recent documents outlining projected enrollments, cost estimates, facility studies and multiple options that were under consideration are available on the Board of Education website. All were discussed multiple times and presented in public

meetings. However, a great deal more research, discussion and work on this project over the past ten to twelve years went into these most recent documents and presentations. This plan is the result of time, energy, effort and professional expertise invested over a lengthy period of time. It is really the culmination of many years of work by school administrators, Board members and other elected officials in conjunction with highly qualified professionals in the industry.

I am aware of the fact that some alternative narratives have been offered suggesting that the process was rushed, not well thought out, not transparent and did not consider alternatives. Nothing could be further from the truth. The facts are that this project as proposed is the culmination of a thoughtful, deliberative process that examined population data, projected costs, State reimbursement, trends in building in Southington and the most effective and efficient use of the resources if approved by voters.

No community ever wants to consider school consolidation and it is always an emotional topic. I know that it was a very difficult decision for the Board of Education to recommend this project in its current form. However, a decision such as this cannot be based on emotion. Decisions of this magnitude should be based on facts and on what is in the best interests of the community as a whole. This project will benefit the Southington community for many years to come. Please support our community by voting Yes on the elementary school construction referendum question.

Respectfully,

Tim Connellan

(Superintendent 2014-2021, retired)

To The Editor:

The ongoing debate surrounding the referendum question to rebuild Kelley Elementary School; build out in the pre-existing framework for South End Elementary School; and ultimately close Flanders Elementary School is aimed to support the educational equity among the district’s elementary schools. The time to address this inequity is upon us.

As noted by the Board of Education presentations and materials provided throughout the last decade of discussion about this project, it is evident that the two schools in most dire need are Kelley and Flanders. The physical buildings are aged and failing as comprehensive, student-centered learning environments. The dedicated teachers, administrators and support staff in these schools do their best

to provide quality education in the space, but it is antiquated and inefficient for the purpose at hand.

Schools should aim for 80-85% usage for most return on capital—based on the information provided by the district, closing Flanders and redistricting students would achieve this outcome. Maintaining these aged structures that are below capacity comes at a significant cost to the town. How long are the people

of Southington willing to continue paying to heat, re-roof, and fix these two buildings that are past their useful life as schools? Ed.gov (6/29/2026) states, “Research has demonstrated that modern, well-maintained facilities with healthy indoor environments yield better student performance and health, higher teacher retention, and reduced absenteeism. They also save school districts money. School

infrastructure is an essential element of equitable access to learning resources and high-quality learning environments.” Providing the best education possible to the future students of this town is the only priority needed—and it is best addressed by the plan supported in this referendum.

While it is difficult to see a neighborhood school close, it also lends for greater opportunity. Currently, several schools share support staff and specialized instruction—psychologists, interventionists, art teachers, music teachers, special education teachers, school counselors—which could be re-allocated when the population at each school is balanced through redistricting. This scenario is a win-win for the students and the staff, and a success for all of Southington.

When going to the polls, choose a brighter educational experience for the students in Southington, and VOTE YES!

Annie Wellington, EdD

JFK/OES Parent

Note that the opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the Southington Outsider.