Residents may be on the hook for millions of dollars in school construction work because officials missed the deadline to apply for state aid. And while both the Central Middle School and Old Greenwich School projects will eventually be done, base costs are expected to skyrocket because of inflation, in one case swallowing up whatever fiscal advantage might be granted down the line. Board of Education Chair Joe Kelly said because the CMS committee did not apply for state reimbursement this year, the project could get delayed if the aid is necessary to complete the project. By waiting, the overall cost of the project is estimated to escalate by 6 percent, but he said, “the escalation arguably can cost the same as we can get in reimbursement.” Now that both projects missed this year’s state reimbursement deadline, the only way for financial approval to happen in next year’s budget is by special legislation. State legislators can ask that either project be added to the 2024 Priority List, but that can only be done after it is submitted by the state’s Department of Administrative Services.
https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/education/article/greenwich-school-projects-reimbursement-costs-18179093.php