Six CT Towns In Line For $150M In School Building Grants

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HARTFORD— Six Connecticut towns are in line to receive more than $150 million in state funding for school projects under House Bill 5150. The bill authorizes school construction state grant commitments totaling $150.6 million toward total estimated project costs of $305.6 million. 

House Bill 5150 would allow Connecticut to provide financial support for new school construction and renovation projects, advancing a list of priority improvements for local districts. The bill cleared the Education Committee by a 44-1 vote and the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee added it to the consent agenda at its Monday meeting.

Supporters of the bill at a public hearing argued it was necessary for municipalities and school districts.

“State funding for school construction projects provides much-needed assistance to municipalities and local school districts across the state,” said Kristen Abrahamson, executive vice president of the Mason Contractors Association of Connecticut. “It will also result in substantial economic benefits to the state and local communities where the projects are built. Investing in our state’s infrastructure is critical to quality of life in Connecticut and funding public school construction projects is a key part of that policy.”

Thomaston School Supt. Francine Coss expressed support for the bill while emphasizing the importance of timely state action.

“Timely authorization of grant commitments is essential for districts undertaking capital projects. Delays in state approval create local fiscal uncertainty and may increase project costs,” Coss said.

A handful of opponents cited loss of local control over school projects.

“Centralized control of capital reduces local decision-making and market efficiency, leading to inflated costs and bureaucratic delays,” said Sarah Dzialo.

The state will fund these projects through bonds that will be repaid over time. Towns planning new school projects or renovations include Milford, Norwich, Seymour, Stamford, Waterbury and Westport.