Massive Southington School Project Now Set For A Vote

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A massive overhaul of the town's elementary schools, including new school buildings, school closures, and renovations, is now ready to go to the voters.

The Southington Town Council on April 13 unanimously approved steps to send a proposed elementary school project to voters, setting a referendum for Nov. 3 and advancing a related bond ordinance.

Meeting at the town's municipal center, the council accepted a favorable recommendation from the Southington Board of Finance, which had previously held a public hearing and approved the fiscal year 2026–27 budget, according to Southington Town Manager Alex Ricciardone.

Councilor Michael Del Santo moved to accept the board of finance’s recommendation tied to the elementary school project and to approve the proposed bond ordinance resolution. Councilor Joshua Serafino seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by roll call.

In a subsequent vote, the council approved the bond ordinance language itself, again unanimously.

The council, on March 23, tabled action on a proposed $86.7 million elementary school facilities plan following a long public hearing that night marked by sharp disagreement over costs, timing, and school closures.

The proposal would fund construction of a new Kelley Elementary School, complete the South End Elementary School expansion, and close Flanders Elementary School, repurposing it for municipal use.

The plan relies on bonding and anticipated state reimbursement of up to 65 percent.

That night, the council conducted and closed a marathon public hearing on the bonding, but it tabled any further action until last week's vote.

At the April 13 meeting, Serafino said council members had spent weeks reviewing the proposal for Kelley School, and he visited the building on April 1.

“I felt it was important to see the building first hand,” Serafino said, describing “a very old building that is struggling to meet modern educational environments.”

He added that the second floor reached 77 degrees that day and said the building “needs to be modernized and improved.”

Serafino emphasized the financial impact on taxpayers and clarified the scope of the vote.

“This evening’s vote is not to approve the Kelley School project, but rather to vote to approve sending it to referendum for the taxpayers to decide,” he said.

Councilor Christopher Palmieri said he has visited all three elementary schools and described them as in “dire need of repair and upkeep,” adding the council’s action was limited to advancing the question to voters.

The council then voted unanimously to set the referendum date for Nov. 3 and to approve the ballot question.

Palmieri supported a November vote, citing higher turnout for “such a big decision.”

Addressing concerns about state deadlines, Palmieri said he had heard claims that delaying a referendum past June could push the project back a year.

Ricciardone said that is not the case and confirmed the town can submit materials by June 30 in anticipation of a November vote.

Council Chairman Paul Chaplinsky said discussions with school officials clarified that Southington can maintain its place in the state process by submitting by June 30, with the condition of voter approval in November, then certifying results afterward.

Finally, the council unanimously approved explanatory text for the referendum pursuant to state statute.

Councilor Jennifer Clock noted the council may include additional plain-language text to help clarify the question for voters if needed.

Town officials will next submit project materials to the state by June 30 while preparing for the Nov. 3 referendum, when voters will decide whether to authorize the project.

For the minutes of the April 13 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.

From March 31: 'Massive Southington School Building Project On Hold For Now'

From March 27: 'Southington PZC Backs Bonding For Massive School Building Project'

From March 15: 'TONIGHT: Southington Unveils Timeline For Massive School Building Project, Hearing Tonight'

From Feb. 26: 'Southington Plans To Close One School Amid Massive School Construction Project'