Community vote on a new high school
This hub brings together clear facts, timelines, and design plans so every voter can make an informed choice. Update each section with your local details as they are finalized.
Summarize the public sessions, survey results, and design workshops here.
See engagement summaryFront and center
Everything you need in one place so you can vote with confidence.
Join us at one of our upcoming informational meetings to review the project details, ask questions, and see how these improvements benefit our students and taxpayers.
Purpose & values
Our purpose is to educate, empower, and engage the Wolcott community with accurate, transparent information before the vote.
Reach every family with children ages 0–18 and encourage all registered voters (18+) to make an informed decision to vote on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Share the critical safety impact of these projects and the financial consequences of missing $3.8 million in State Grant funding.
Provide meaningful, fact-based information about the five proposed projects to support accurate, productive conversations.
We share clear project costs, engineering estimates from firms like Colliers International, and potential tax impacts.
We keep neighbors informed through learning sessions and public updates on school facility conditions.
We work with local businesses, organizations, and stakeholders to build a shared vision and maximize each dollar.
By replacing 30-year-old systems today, we protect safe, efficient schools and the long-term prosperity of the community.
Investing in safety and sustainability
These five projects are essential investments to address aging infrastructure, protect students and staff, and keep Wolcott in compliance with state regulations.
The Board of Education is seeking your support for five critical capital improvement projects across our school district. These projects are not merely upgrades; they are necessary to address end-of-life systems and prevent costly emergency repairs.
The need: The current fire alarm panels at Frisbie Elementary and Tyrrell Middle School are over 20 years old. Replacement parts are obsolete and cannot be manufactured.
The goal: Install a modern, reliable, fully functional fire detection system.
The need: Hydraulic elevator cylinders at Alcott School/Central Office are over 30 years old and have been cited by the State Elevator Inspector.
The goal: Resolve the state violation and ensure safe, legal accessibility.
The need: Sections of the Tyrrell roof are up to 33 years old. Deteriorated insulation is causing water ponding and structural deficiencies.
The goal: Install a high-efficiency roofing system with a 20-year warranty.
The need: Units have exceeded their 20-year service life. Repairs are no longer cost-effective.
The goal: Improve indoor air quality and temperature control while reducing long-term maintenance and energy costs.
The need: Booster pumps and underground pressure tanks are nearing critical failure, risking shutdowns.
The goal: Install modern VFD pumps and stand-alone tanks for a resilient, efficient water system.
We worked with industry experts including Colliers International and Johnson Controls to develop accurate estimates. By bonding these items together, the town qualifies for substantial state reimbursements, reducing the burden on local taxpayers.
Proactive replacement is significantly more cost-effective than emergency failures, which may not qualify for the same level of state funding.
| Project | Estimated total cost | State reimbursement | Net cost to town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Alarm Upgrades (FES/TMS) | $313,310 | $200,000 | $113,310 |
| Elevator Replacement (AES/CO) | $62,000 | $0 | $62,000 |
| TMS Roof Replacement | $4,517,700 | $3,000,000 | $1,517,700 |
| TMS HVAC Replacement | $850,000 | $564,655 | $285,345 |
| WHS Water Infrastructure | $78,300 | $50,000 | $28,300 |
| TOTALS | $5,821,310 | $3,814,655 | $2,006,655 |
Project overview
Add your latest enrollment projections and how they impact current facilities.
Highlight program needs: career tech, labs, arts, athletics, and flexible spaces.
Share plans for secure entries, ADA upgrades, and updated building systems.
Timeline
TBD – include key milestones, board approvals, and design phases.
TBD – state the election date and polling details.
TBD – share expected start, duration, and major checkpoints.
TBD – include ribbon cutting and student move-in timeline.
Cost & taxes
Break down the total cost into categories like construction, land, design, and contingency.
Provide a simple example for typical homeowners and include any exemptions.
Campus design
Share how the campus is organized: academic wings, athletics, parking, and outdoor areas.
Show flexible classrooms, labs, and commons that support collaboration and innovation.
Community engagement
List the dates, attendance, and key themes from each session.
Include response counts and top priorities identified by stakeholders.
Note who participated and how their feedback shaped the design.
FAQ
By grouping these five projects into a single referendum, the Town of Wolcott can maximize its efficiency in securing state grants and bonding. Most of these items are end-of-life issues, meaning the equipment is no longer repairable or has been cited for code violations. Addressing them now prevents more expensive emergency repairs later.
While the total project cost is over $5.8 million, the town is only responsible for approximately $2 million after state reimbursements. Because the town is bonding this amount (borrowing it and paying it back over several years), the impact is spread out over time to keep the annual tax impact as low as possible.
Safety & compliance: We remain in violation of state elevator codes and continue to rely on obsolete fire alarm systems that cannot be repaired if they fail. Increased costs: Delaying the roof and HVAC projects at Tyrrell will likely lead to internal water damage and higher energy bills. Loss of state funding: The nearly $3.8 million in state grants is not guaranteed indefinitely, so missing this window could force the town to cover the full bill later.
In most of these cases, repairs are no longer an option. For example, the fire alarm parts at Frisbie and Tyrrell are obsolete and no longer manufactured. Similarly, the 33-year-old roof at Tyrrell has compressed insulation, which prevents simple patch-work from being effective.
The Board of Education engaged professional firms including Colliers International, Johnson Controls, New England Elevator, and Water Systems Specialties to provide competitive, expert estimates. These figures include a cushion for contingencies to help the project stay within the approved budget.
If approved, the district will begin the state grant application process immediately. Most major construction, such as the Tyrrell roof and HVAC replacement, would be scheduled for the summer months to minimize disruption to the school year.
Documents
Vote information
Insert official voting date, polling hours, and where to find sample ballots.