Voters in School Administrative District 49 have an outstanding and rare opportunity to vote for a predominantly state-funded new school construction project in Benton. Over the last five years, SAD 49 school board members from all towns in the school district along with school leaders have worked to design a project for a new elementary school that will replace older school buildings. The state-funded project will also redesign an existing school, Benton Elementary School, to expand early childhood programs and address primary education and child care needs.
The consolidation of elementary education in SAD 49 will provide equitable opportunities and resources to all students in the school district and also result in savings on operating expenses in the sustainably designed new school building. Voters are urged to vote yes on the referendum question to support the $45.6 million portion of the fully state-funded project, which is over 95% of the cost of the total project, and to vote yes on the second referendum question for an additional $1.8 million of local funding.
Local funding will support a larger gymnasium with additional bleacher seating so that local athletic programs throughout the school district’s communities can enjoy enhanced recreational facilities.
Karen Kusiak
Fairfield
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