The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received September 21, 2026.
I am writing in support of the high school building project to be voted on this Thursday, September 24, 2026. Bringing the building up to code is expensive. No argument there. However, one way or another, costs will be there for major repair projects down the road. What the district has now is the state’s commitment for a reimbursement rate of 51.43 % for eligible expenses.
As I understand it, this reimbursement eligibility is part of the package we are voting on and dependent on its approval. This is not the same process as the annual school budget. Costs will not just be cut here and there and a lower priced plan brought up for a vote two weeks later. It will be another long process without the guarantee of the same reimbursement rate from the state or the inclusion of the pool, auditorium, and Field House in that eligibility.
This plan is a replacement for a costlier one that the BOE considered. The change was an answer to community input and concerns over costs. Major repairs are still needed no matter the vote. This plan brings the building up to code, which also removes impediments to renewed accreditation in the future. And it removes the uncertainty of the cost of individual major repair projects and the rate and coverage of state reimbursement.
Kathleen Amoia, Killingworth
