SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Four South County legislators said this week they are ready to assist North Kingstown and South Kingstown with exploring deadline extensions for state reimbursements for school construction projects.
Next June is the deadline for state reimbursements in the millions of dollars — up to 55% of certain construction costs. Additional time, say town officials, would help in planning projects whose tax increases voters might accept.
This comes as after voters turned out in North Kingstown last week in record numbers and rejected a colossal set of bonds totaling $247.4 million — the largest in town history — and packing a property tax punch that voters did not want to feel.
Included in that rejection was a new middle school, which officials have said was needed to replace two aging middle schools.
While no definitive reason has been established for that rejection, local residents and politicians offer the tax increase, a school construction package conditioned on approval also of a public safety complex and issues with one or two middle schools and the site selection process.
Watching from the sidelines are South Kingstown officials who pulled a $125 million high school construction project from voter consideration after estimated costs rose to about $150 million.
The South Kingstown Town Council Tuesday night decided to move forward with the maximum $150 million bond and will begin preparing for a referendum early next year for that town’s residents to consider the proposed new high school’s costs and design.
At the council meeting Tuesday evening, town residents, high school teachers and students turned out to support the need for a new high school and pointed to many of the documented deficiencies, such as mold, leaking roof and rickety heating and air conditioning system that hamper everyday operations.
William Gates, a SKHS senior, noted the roller coaster of temperatures that start at 35 degrees in the building when he arrives and rises slowly through the morning and then falls to cold again by his 4th-period class. He stressed the need for a new high school.
“What is a community? It is something that has its members pay into its future,” he said.
Other speakers talked about the community’s values and where members stood in backing up a commitment with money for a new school
State Rep. Carol McEntee (D-33) also came to the Town Council meeting, chaired by her son, Rory McEntee, Town Council president.
“I moved to this town because of the education it would provide to my children — way back, maybe 30 years now. Do it (obtain a bond vote) now, You don’t have the luxury of time…I’ll do everything I can to kick that date out farther, but I can’t make any promises,” she said.
Kate Macinanti, school building committee chairwoman and School Committee member said, “It is time to let the voters vote.”
It was also noted that the town may save about $7 million on the bond due to increased reimbursement on the square footage of the building. Council members also talked about using some school trust funds to help reduce costs.
Council member Deb Bergner sought another joint meeting with school officials, but was met with opposition from the majority of council members. They said budget meetings with school officials could cover the concerns.
It was also mentioned that state education department deadlines need to be satisfied in the coming weeks.
In both towns, officials have put a near $1,000 property tax hike — for different reasons — on the backs of taxpayers who have an assessed average home value of at least $460,000 in a skyrocketing South County real estate market.
“I would never reject more time to plan and get this thing right,” said South Kingstown Town Council Vice President Mike Marran, who was a member of the town’s School Committee, said in a separate interview.
Greg Mancini, North Kingstown Town Council president said, “I plan to put the request for assistance on the council agenda for next week.”
These requests are not surprising legislators.
Many said they understand the timeline bind now for redesigns, legislative approvals, and determining through voter referendums whether the projects will go forward or back to the drawing board once again.
State Rep. McEntee said in an interview earlier this week, “I am ready to help any way I can. These towns need their schools and we need to help them find ways to afford them.”
Agreeing with her was state Sen. Alana DiMario (D-36).
“When the General Assembly reconvenes in January for the 2024 session, I will await direction from the North Kingstown School…
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