Naugatuck Schools Plan $200M Campus Overhaul

0:00Nogatuck school leaders just greenlit specs for $200 million campus overhaul, aiming to build two new schools for grades five through, eight right on the Cross Street site. This means merging hillside intermediate and city hill middle into one spot with a building for five-six holding at least 638. Kids and another for 7-8 taking 613, totaling around 1,251 students. The setup includes share kitchens, an auditorium, and athletic areas to make it efficient. It's pulling from a 2013 facilities plan that got sidelined after the high school's $81 million Renault when taxes spiked. And while it's tightened, board chair Bob Meso and Mayor Pete Hess are all in, calling the current buildings beat and long pass their prime. Hess says it's prime time to remake them, freeing up old spots for burrow reuse while giving kids top-notch spaces. Financially, they're eyeing heavy state grants at up to 85% reimbursement, leaving locals

1:02on the hook for about 30 million. Bonds won't hit till 2033, synced with a massive Amazon Center dropping 6 million in new taxes to ease the mill rate sting. Voters decide in a November 2027 referendum. Next up, more steps like grant apps and potential tweaks to turn city hill into an elementary with 95% state aid. Our timing could finally upgrade Nogatuck schools without breaking the bank. From your city, powered by AI, this is Hartford News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.