• Southbury and Middlebury voters backed Region 15鈥檚 $95.6 million 2026-27 operating budget at the May 6 referendum, according to posted unofficial results.听
• Voters also approved $224 million in bonding to replace听Gainfield听and Pomperaug elementary schools; the bond question passed overall even though Middlebury voters opposed it locally.听
• District materials say the plan is to build new PK鈥�5 schools on the existing sites, keep students in their current buildings until the replacements are ready, and add dedicated preschool space while upgrading safety,听accessibility听and traffic circulation.听

SOUTHBURY, MIDDLEBURY, Conn. 鈥� Voters in Southbury and Middlebury approved Region 15鈥檚 $95.6 million operating budget for fiscal 2026-27 and authorized $224 million in school construction bonding to replace the district鈥檚 two oldest elementary buildings, according to referendum results released after the May 6 vote.听听

The bond would support replacement buildings for听Gainfield听Elementary School and Pomperaug Elementary School, with the district planning to pursue state school construction grants that could significantly reduce the local share of eligible project costs.听

Unofficial results posted by the Town of Southbury show the Region 15 school budget passed 2,679-1,618 overall (Southbury: 2,048-1,059; Middlebury: 631-559). The construction financing question passed 2,474-1,820 overall, with Southbury approving 1,935-1,172 and Middlebury voting against the question 539-648, according to听.听

The Stamford Advocate reported the adopted budget totals $95.6 million, a $4.86 million (5.4%) increase over the current $90.78 million plan. The same report said the $224 million bond package would fund replacement schools on each existing site, with plans calling for larger buildings designed to serve about 550 students per school and include prekindergarten space, according to听.听

District project materials describe听Gainfield鈥檚听original sections as dating to 1941 and Pomperaug opening in 1967, noting both facilities have aging infrastructure and systems nearing the end of their useful life. 鈥渕any听of our systems and spaces are significantly aged, flawed, functioning unreliably, or听become听obsolete,鈥� according to听.听

Region 15鈥檚 facilities materials say new construction 鈥� rather than renovation 鈥� was selected after feasibility work evaluated both approaches. The FAQ says early estimates compared roughly $80 million for renovation to about $86 million for new construction, but renovation would add significant costs and complications, including temporary swing space estimated at about $12 million and a longer timeline that could increase escalation costs, according to .听听

On design and operations, the district says replacement buildings would address code and safety upgrades that older schools are exempt from because of their听age, and听improve circulation and traffic safety. The 鈥淜ey Project 糖心少女鈥� page says the new layouts would funnel visitors from the main entrance to the front office for screening and bring the schools up to current fire and energy codes (including sprinklers and updated HVAC), while expanding parking and dedicated bus lanes, according to听.听

Project scope materials also cite improved traffic circulation at both campuses, including altered traffic patterns and a new access road intended to reduce congestion near Main Street and Poverty Road in Southbury. Region 15 further says the proposal is designed to keep schools听operating听throughout construction by allowing the district to occupy the existing buildings until the new schools are complete and ready for occupancy, according to听.听

Programming elements highlighted by the district include adding dedicated preschool classrooms and replacing makeshift instructional spaces (such as interventions held in closets or hallways) with purpose-built rooms and small-group areas, according to听.听

In its March 30 Board of Education newsletter, Region 15 said it sought voter approval in May to听submit听a school construction grant application by the state鈥檚 June 30 deadline. The newsletter also estimated total construction costs at about $224 million and听anticipated听roughly 64.2%听reimbursement of eligible costs under current assumptions, with a projected $80 million to $90 million local borrowing need, according to听.听

Before the May 6 vote, Region 15 said the Connecticut General Assembly approved a space waiver intended to support the district鈥檚 eligibility for its expected reimbursement rate while allowing some flexibility in shared spaces. 鈥淭his legislation allows us to thoughtfully plan school spaces that meet student needs while also providing areas that can serve the wider community,鈥� according to听.听

As the district moves toward a state funding application, Superintendent Joshua Smith described near-term steps, including governance and procurement work. 鈥淲e will also begin the work of identifying building committees, grant application approvals and releasing a request for project proposals that will select an architectural firm for the design phase of the project,鈥� according to听.听

The Stamford Advocate reported Smith hopes construction will begin in 2028 and that the new schools could be completed by 2030, subject to听state听grant approvals and other preconstruction steps, according to听.听

This article is based on reporting originally published by the Stamford Advocate, official materials posted by the Town of Southbury and Pomperaug Regional School District 15, and Region 15鈥檚 facilities project website in 2026. ()听

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By Lindsey Coulter

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. 鈥� Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 in Buffalo Grove, Ill., recently celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new gymnasium and interior renovations at Aptakisic Junior High School. The improvements were funded by a portion of a $49 million community-approved referendum and designed by Wold Architects & Engineers in collaboration with school district representatives and the Buffalo Grove Park District.

“The success of this referendum reflects our community鈥檚 strong belief in supporting the district and investing in future generations of students,鈥� said Dr. Jessica McIntyre, superintendent of Aptakisic-Tripp CCSD 102, in a statement.

Approved by voters in 2023, the referendum is a significant investment in Aptakisic-Tripp School District鈥檚 future and has already supported a new nine-classroom science wing, energy-efficient upgrades across multiple schools and enhanced security systems. The junior high gymnasium addition is built to accommodate a growing student population, improve student drop-off safety and create a more accessible community space.

鈥淭his project will enhance students鈥� experiences at school while creating opportunities for the greater Buffalo Grove community to use brand new gym spaces,鈥� said Mike Eichhorn, education practice leader at Wold Architects & Engineers, in a statement. 鈥淔rom enhanced technology to expanded courts, the gym鈥檚 design offers more for students and visitors to enjoy. Every detail was designed with learning, wellness and connection in mind.”

The new gym features two full-sized courts, modern locker rooms and a relocated fitness room that centralizes the physical education wing. Students were directly involved in the process by voting on the gym’s colors and bleacher design, while coaches, staff and government officials helped guide design decisions that could keep students safe and the greater community accessible. In addition to supporting athletics and daily instruction, the gym is lined for basketball, volleyball and three official pickleball courts, allowing the park district to host community programs in the evenings and on weekends.

“The new, collaboratively designed gymnasium is a wonderful example of community partnership that creates a space for students and our community to come together. At the same time, the other components of the referendum focus on ensuring the longevity, safety and energy efficiency of our buildings,鈥� Dr. McIntyre said. 鈥淭ogether, these investments strengthen our schools today and for years to come. We鈥檙e incredibly proud of what we鈥檝e accomplished together and deeply grateful for the community support that made it possible.”

Aptakisic-Tripp School District is a high-achieving public school district covering seven square miles in Lake County, Ill., and serving a diverse population of approximately 2,600 students with more than 60 languages across four schools. Beyond this project, District 102 continues to modernize aging infrastructure at its schools, including updated mechanical systems, LED lighting to reduce energy use and enhanced security measures such as controlled access points and reconfigured entrances. The final referendum construction projects are expected to be completed by summer 2026 at Meridian School.

Project partners included Wold Architects & Engineers, Nicholas & Associates and ARCON Associates.

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