1996 Proposal

Regional School District 16 - Proposed High School

  Artist rendering of proposed school - Jeter, Cook, & Jepson, Architects

Referendum Results from October 15th 1996:

The Region 16 High School proposal was defeated by a large margin. Voter turnout was heavy with better than 60% of voters voting on the proposal in both towns. Prospect voters voted 2647 to 1092 against the proposal, while Beacon Falls voted 1006 to 858 to approve the proposal.

The Referendum Question - Tuesday, October 15, 1996

 Shall Regional School District Number 16 appropriate $35,020,000 for site acquisition, and for design and construction of a new high school to be located on the Matthies property in Beacon Falls off of Route 42 and authorize bonds and temporary notes to finance said appropriation?

Public Presentation Slide Show:

At the public hearing, Jeter, Cook, and Jepson, Architects, presented pictures of the layout of the school, location, and a model to help attendees to visualize the scope and shape of the project. To view the slide show, click on the image you would like to view in the table below.

	High School, Artist's Conception		Conceptual Site Plan
	Location of Site, Map of Towns		Model, Viewed from the Top
	Floor Plan, Lower Level		Model, Viewed from North
	Floor Plan, Main Level		Model, Viewed from the East
	Floor Plan, Upper Level		Model, Viewed from the West

The following data was sent by the Region 16 Board of Education to all residents in a flyer in early September of 1996. Some of this data may have been revised since then, and residents are advised to contact the Board if they want the latest data available.

Need

As we approach the twenty-first century, more students than ever before need to be educated to higher levels in order to compete successfully in an increasingly complex technological job market. Region 16 has the wonderftil opportunity to meet the educational challenges of the future by becoming a true K-12 school system maintaining continuity over curriculum and school policies. This state-of-the-art high school will be dedicated to teaching students how to think and how to learn so that they may gather, organize and analyze information, solve problems by collaborating with others, and thus meet the needs of the twenty-first century.

Enrollment Projections

Based on number of students in Region 16 as of 9/15/95.
Does not include any students entering or leaving Region 16.

Site

Over 24 sites were evaluated during a three year period in both Prospect and Beacon Falls prior to the selection of Matthies Park as the best location for the new high school. The Matthies Park site is of ideal size and configuration to support the program needs for the new high school and has availability of both public sewer and water. When Route 42 is reconstructed, access will be greatly improved thus making the area easily accessible for both educational and community use while being compatible with the balance of the Matthies Park recreational areas.

Site Highlights

• 1,000 seat football stadium and track
• 2 soccer/field hockey fields
• 2 softball fields
• 1 baseball diamond
• 1 practice field
• 4 tennis courts
• Parking for 400 automobiles

Building Highlights

GENERAL

• 800 student capacity
• 3 levels stepping up a hillside
• Easily subdivided for evening community use
• Media center, auditorium, and administrative areas air conditioned

CLASSROOMS

• 8 mathematics
• 8 English
• 5 social studies
• 5 foreign language
• 1 business suite
• 1 health
• 4 special needs
• 1 home economics
• 9 Department resource rooms

ARTS

• Choral room
• Band room
• 2 art studios
• 450 seat auditorium

COMMONS

• Information resource center
• 2 computer education rooms
• 5 technology education labs
• 8 science laboratories
• Administration/student services
• Student commons/cafeteria

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• 700 seat main gymnasium
• Auxiliary gymnasium
• 25 yard swimming pool
• Locker & weight rooms

Estimated Project Budget

State Reimbursement

The State will reimburse Regional District 16 for a percentage of the project costs. The maximum reimbursement rate for all qualifying expenses is 73.93%. Some items, such as the swimming pool and portions of the auditorium seating are not eligible for full reimbursement; therefore the overall reimbursement rate for the project is estimated to be 70.0%.

Operating Costs

**The tuition figure represents the savings of tuition payments to other high schools outside of Region 16 because students will be attending High School in the Region.

Cost to the Taxpayer

Utilizing the current mill rates for the 1996-97 year and adjusting the grand list totals to reflect the same inflation figures utilized in estimating the Operational & Construction cost budgets, the impact of constructing and operating a Regional School District #16 High School would be as follows: For every $100,000 of assessed property value the tax increased in the first year of a fully operational High School in the year 2001/2202 would be approximately $236 in Prospect and $248 in Beacon Falls.

For more detailed information:

More detailed information is available from our FTP site:

Disclaimer: For the latest or certified copies of information from the Board of Education, visit the Region 16 School District Offices at 207 New Haven Road. None of the data on this web site should be construed as an official distribution of the Region 16 Board of Education.

High School Educational Specification - This is the educational specification used to determine the size and layout of the proposed High School. Approved by Board of Education.

High School Enrollment projections - This is a Lotus worksheet which shows the enrollment forecasts assuming various scenarios. These are Not Officially Board Approved, but show the basis for the public projections.

High School Operating Costs - This is a Lotus worksheet which shows the High School Operating Cost calculations. These figures were approved by the Board of Education September 18th, 1996 and have been revised downward from the figures proposed at the September 11 public hearing..

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