First Selectman Vicki A. Tesoro is releasing the following joint statement with Representative Sarah Keitt (D-Fairfield, Trumbull)
REPRESENTATIVE KEITT, TOWN OFFICIALS APPLAUD SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION REIMBURSEMENT FOR HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL
Rate was set through bonding package passed in House and Senate
Representative Sarah Keitt (D-Fairfield, Trumbull) is pleased to announce that the Town of Trumbull will receive a 44% reimbursement rate for the new construction of Hillcrest Middle School. The reimbursement rate was set through a bonding package passed in the House and Senate in the final days of the legislative session.
"I'm pleased this funding is coming to Trumbull," said Rep. Keitt. "First Selectman Vicki Tesoro, Superintendent Dr. Martin Semmel, and I worked to put together a strong bonding application. With the future of school construction reimbursement in question, Trumbull is fortunate to have secured this funding now."
"I want to thank our entire state delegation led by Representative Sarah Keitt, whose dedication and tenacity led to this great result for Trumbull," said Trumbull First Selectman Vicki Tesoro. "If the Hillcrest Middle School referendum passes, the financial obligation on the taxpayers of Trumbull will be significantly reduced due to Representative Keitt's efforts. Our reimbursement rate from the State for new construction would have been 24.29% if we were not granted this increase to 44%. This is approximately a $27,000,000 savings for our taxpayers should a new school be constructed!”
In 2023, Trumbull Public Schools completed a year-long, district long-range plan, which identified several priority projects, ranked according to the physical condition and programmatic need. Hillcrest Middle School emerged as the first step in the long-range plan. The current middle school was built in 1967 and is at, or beyond, the end of its useful life.
"I was thrilled to hear the news that our Hillcrest Building project was supported by both the House and the Senate, " said Trumbull Superintendent Dr. Martin Semmel. "Our recently completed Master Facilities Plan identified Hillcrest Middle School as the school with the greatest need from both a physical and programmatic point of view. I want to thank our elected officials for working together to increase the State's reimbursement for this potential project."
The plan is to build a new Hillcrest Middle School to house 826 students in grades 6-8 on the existing campus. The project must be approved through the town’s referendum process before construction can begin.