Norwich (Conn.) district proposes $149 million overhaul of elementary schools

The Norwich (Conn.) district has proposed a $149 million revamp of its elementary schools. 

The district's school building committee has recommended reducing the number of elementary schools from seven to four, reports the Norwich Bulletin. 

If the plan is approved, Huntington, Mahan, Wequonnoc Magnet, and Veterans Memorial elementary schools would close in 2026. 

The district projects that the latter three schools will have double digit percentage enrollment declines by that time.

The facilities overhaul calls for building larger, two-story schools. The schools would have separate wings based on age.

The plan also calls for renovating Teacher’s Memorial Magnet Middle School and turning Huntington School into a multiuse facility.

New elementary schools on the sites of the Stanton Elementary and the former Greeneville schools would open in January 2026, and new buildings on the site of Moriarty Elementary and Uncas Elementary would open in 2028.

The cost to build four schools and renovate Teacher’s Memorial is estimated to be about $381 million.

The cost to maintain all the elementary and middle schools as they are, without expansion or renovation, is estimated at $160.2 million over 20 years. 

If the project is approved, it will take about seven years to complete.

Drummey Rosane Anderson Architects, Inc. is overseeing the plan.