School Construction Reimbursement Coming for Naugy High

Note: This press release was submitted by the Senate Democrats and posted by Paul Singley.

State Senators Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) and Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury), whose districts each include a portion of Naugatuck, announced today their successful efforts to secure ‘significant’ school construction funding for planned renovation and alteration at the Naugatuck High School. Final authorization was part of this year’s omnibus school construction legislation.

All told, 27 local school construction projects were authorized, along with reauthorization for seven additional projects, wherein the scope and cost of the project had changed.

“I’m delighted by the favorable consideration given to Naugatuck’s application for school construction funding because parts of the building are now more than 50 years old and the entire building will benefit from improved energy efficiency,” Senator Crisco said. “I know how much the administration, faculty, and students are looking forward to having like-new facilities and I’m confident Naugatuck taxpayers will appreciate news about this significant state grant.”

Senators Crisco and Hartley said funding for the construction project at Naugatuck High School was approved at a generous 74.6 percent reimbursement rate. That means the state will cover almost $58.5 million of the nearly $78 million cost of the planned renovation and alteration.

“This much-needed and long anticipated grant will enable the Naugatuck High School facility to offer the borough’s students a 21st century high school facility which is such an integral part of Naugatuck’s storied history,” Senator Hartley said.

“The part of this Naugatuck alteration that captures my imagination is incorporation of the school district’s central offices into under-utilized portions of the high school,” Senator Crisco added. “The plan demonstrates tremendous foresight to consider declining enrollment projections and the need to maximize state reimbursement for the project, and the result is district offices built right into some of the high school space.” 

Naugatuck High School currently measures some 300,000 square feet, which is too much space for the number of students expected over the next eight years. When the renovation/alteration is complete, the district offices will move from the Tuttle Building on Church Street in Naugatuck.