Press Release Summary of Views re: May 6, 2026 Referendum Proposals

REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 15
PRESS RELEASE
Regarding May 6, 2026 Referendum Proposals

April 17, 2026, Southbury/Middlebury, CT -

Regional School District 15 Superintendent Joshua Smith and Regional School District 15 Board of Education Chair Marion Manzo provide the following summaries of their views regarding the referendum of Wednesday, May 6, 2026, which considers the construction of two new elementary schools at the current sites of Pomperaug Elementary School (PES) and Gainfield Elementary School (GES), alongside the proposed 2026–2027 school budget.

Superintendent Smith notes the following regarding the questions posed by the referendum:

The District’s oldest elementary schools, PES (built in 1967) and GES (built in 1941), have ongoing needs related to aging infrastructure. A significant portion of the facilities' systems are now at the end of their functional lifecycle, requiring a strategy for infrastructure upgrades. To address these needs, a GES/PES feasibility study, developed with input from community leaders, Region 15 staff, and Middlebury and Southbury residents, evaluated long-term facility solutions. Following this yearlong review, the proposal to build two new schools on existing district-owned sites will be presented to residents for a referendum vote.

The project timeline is structured to utilize current state funding before reimbursement rates are expected to change (the rates are expected to change on/after July 1, 2026). By securing an estimated 64.2% reimbursement of eligible costs (pending state approval), the proposal seeks to address facility conditions and long-term financial planning.

The school designs incorporate dedicated space for expanded preschool and specialized education programs, address district-wide elementary capacity needs, and take advantage of additional state funding that incentivizes preschool access. Additionally, site planning focuses on traffic circulation at both locations.

The combined total project cost for building both schools is estimated to be $220 million. Based on current projections, state reimbursement will result in an estimated local share of approximately 35.8%, or $78 million, with the project accessing $142 million in state construction grants. The final tax impact will depend on factors such as bonding structure, interest rates, and debt scheduling, and will be influenced by both state funding and existing District debt capacity.

Financial projections presented at recent Board of Education meetings estimate the impact on taxpayers to be approximately $7 to $14 per month for a typical household, and approximately $2 to $4 per month for a typical Heritage Village condominium, with both estimates based on a 30-year bond.

The proposal represents an approach to address long-term needs, in comparison to a short-term approach of funding ongoing repairs. Executing the projects at both schools concurrently allows the District to utilize available state reimbursement rates and achieve economies of scale.

The proposed school construction project maximizes the opportunity provided by state grant incentives, attempting to access more than $30 million in additional grant funding that would otherwise not be available to Region 15 communities.

In addition to the construction proposal, the referendum will consider the District’s 2026–2027 school budget. The proposed budget maintains current programming, and reflects rising insurance costs.

Board of Education Chair Manzo notes the following regarding the questions posed by the referendum:

The Board of Education was unanimous in its decision to move forward with this proposal to construct new schools. We are committed to providing accessible information so residents can review the details regarding this important community decision.

The referendum will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Shepardson Community Center, 1172 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, and the Southbury Firehouse, 461 Main Street South, Southbury. Additional information about the project and budget is available at the District website and at www.r15facilitiesupdate.com.