Town Council Delays Decision on New School Building Sites

After nearly four hours of discussion Tuesday night, the Mansfield Town Council once again delayed its decision on whether to move forward with a proposal to send the School Building Project plan to a referendum.

The council did, however, approve a motion to close the , and Schools and construct two new elementary schools, with renovations to the . 

On Feb. 9, the School Building Committee voted unanimously to recommend the schools' closures, new construction and renovations to the Town Council. According to the town’s proposed resolutions, the total project construction cost for the revised two-school option and renovation to the middle school is $57,629,000, with an estimated net cost to the town of $22,128,210; the balance could be paid for by the state.

Council members must now decide on which sites they will propose to build the two new elementary schools. This decision will be subject to approval of the and voters at a May 24 referendum.

Initially, the council defeated motions on the pairing of the Goodwin and Southeast sites and the Southeast and Vinton sites. Later in the evening, the council decided that it would be in the best interest of the town to solicit public comment regarding the site selections for the project.

As a result, an audience of citizens will be held at the March 14 Town Council meeting. At that time residents can add their opinions to the discussion about where the two new schools should be built. Council members encouraged residents to submit their questions and comments via e-mail prior to the meeting.

The council must make a decision on a site at that meeting in order for there to be enough time for members to present the town's bond counsel with a budget and final project description before the May 24 referendum.