June 6, 2011

DESPITE TOUGH BUDGETARY CLIMATE REP. MOUKAWSHER
DELIVERS SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FUNDS FOR GROTON

State Representative Ted Moukawsher announced that his efforts have culminated in legislation that provides full construction reimbursement funding for Groton’s Catherine Kolnaski School. 

(SB 1242) approved by the legislature last weekend includes $1,954,889 for the school project based on the full estimated 500 student capacity. The measure is headed to the governor’s office for signature.

“This legislation was necessary because over the course of this school construction the state’s method for determining reimbursements had changed,” Rep. Moukawsher said. “That resulted in Catherine Kolnaski School being only allocated enough credits for 444 students rather than the 500 students initially slated for the school. Legislation was required to address the issue.”

The provision he worked to include in the legislative bond package provides an exception from current space standards for state grant calculation purposes. The school opened with a 496 student body.

“I am especially pleased given the fact that education dollars continue to be squeezed in a tough economy, the 52 students for which the school did not receive credits at first will be provided for as originally intended,” added Moukawsher, who worked with local Groton Public Schools officials to ensure this concern was addressed and resolved.

In addition, the new legislation provides special school construction grants for school districts that have one or more schools with minority enrollments that exceed the district-wide average for the same grades by more than 25%.

Groton is one of the towns which will qualify for this grant. The grant must reimburse such districts for 80% of the reasonable capital costs for diversity school construction projects. Without this provision, Groton’s reimbursement rate would have been set at about 58% utilizing a new formula to be in place next year. The current new school reimbursement rate for Groton is 66%.

Ted Moukawsher represents Groton’s 40th Assembly District. He is a member of the Banks; Environment; Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees.