Board and superintendent push for joint town‑district facilities plan and feasibility work

Board members and the superintendent used the Jan. 14 meeting to underscore longstanding facilities needs across Seymour schools and to call for a coordinated town‑district effort to scope projects and estimate costs.

Multiple board members listed problems that have persisted for years — locker rooms, the pool, roof repairs, and an aging track — and described the need to prioritize repairs and develop a five‑year timeline. A board member noted that some projects (for example, major work on the high school pool and locker rooms) would likely require a referendum because of the scale and funding mechanisms involved.

Superintendent Dr. Compton and trustees discussed next steps: hold a working session with the first selectman and Kurt Miller (the town/district facilities director was named as an expert to be invited), commission feasibility and architect estimates to produce current‑year cost projections, and build a prioritized timeline to present to the public and to the board of finance. Board members emphasized that the town owns many of the buildings and that the district needs the town’s cooperation for referendum timing and funding.

Members suggested revenue and sponsorship strategies to support non‑capital needs and discussed repurposing staff time if certain classes shrink because of senior drops. The board directed staff to plan joint workshops, prepare cost estimates or feasibility studies as needed, and return with a recommended timeline and prioritized list of projects.

No referendums or funding measures were approved at the meeting; board members agreed a study and joint planning process should precede any decision to pursue capital borrowing.