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The selectmen, Republicans Mark Lyon in Washington and Barbara Henry in Roxbury, and Democrat William Stuart of Bridgewater, feel the school board should update the job description for a new and permanent facilities manager-someone who would oversee all upkeep projects-and require the district to hire a candidate with the necessary credentials.
To ensure the projects proceed in an acceptable fashion, the selectmen also propose that the performance of the new facilities manager be assessed during a three-month probationary period.
Additionally, the towns would like to see the list of repairs, along with a timeline requirement, submitted to potential contractors so that the necessary funding plan and public approvals can be obtained before the end of this school year. And the selectmen would like to see work on current issues completed by the beginning of the next school year.
"Our reason for asking for this action is to convey to the Board [of Education] our concern that implementation of this plan appears to be pushed behind ... priorities for getting a budget approved in May, and rigorous adherence to standard education system protocols and procedures," states the letter.
"We are especially concerned that there doesn't appear to be a commitment to take the key step, making the organization and personnel changes we believe are key to eventual success," the letter continues. "We don't like being in the position of suggesting to the board what it needs to do, but we feel strongly about this."
Dr. Storm's repair plan has so far operated on schedule. Already, a facilities work team has identified all outstanding maintenance problems, and subsequently submitted a report to the superintendent, although there are some questions about the most suitable avenue for procuring estimates on these projects.
Even though Dr. Storm has met with the towns to explain his proposal, the selectmen have grown increasingly concerned about the level of care these buildings have received over the past few decades.
At the last Washington selectmen's meeting, Mr. Lyon indicated that the problems currently facing the schools are the result of not just a cutback in maintenance, but on poor oversight.
"The superintendent's ad-hoc [facilities] committee has pointed out some glaring mismanagement issues," said Mr. Lyon. "A lot of small things haven't been done, over time they accumulated into big things.
"Our concern now is management of the project and ongoing maintenance," he continued. "If that doesn't change, there's no reason to believe we won't be here again in five years."
Under old lease parameters, the region was required to completely maintain the school buildings. But since the buildings have fallen into disrepair over the past few decades, the towns have sought to renegotiate the terms of the contract. As it stands, the leases have remained unsigned for the better part of two years.
Though it isn't clearly outlined in the letter, which was drafted last week, Washington Board of Finance member Jack Field previously indicated that the town would be reluctant to jump into any further lease agreements until satisfied with the direction of school maintenance.
And the Washington selectmen have said they would like to sign a lease shorter than the standard 20-year term, in order to offer better flexibility to the town.
Signing a shorter lease is feasible, but it could hinder the possibility of reimbursement on improvement projects, as the state prefers municipal-owned schools operate under 20-year leases.
"The reason we're discussing this is the Washington Board of Finance decided they do not want to sign this lease, because they don't see items being fixed," said Mr. Stuart of Bridgewater. "Because Washington doesn't want to sign, we have to figure out a way to get something done."
Though it has undergone a series of revisions, the currently proposed lease would have the school board reserve both a $100,000 line item and 0.75 percent of any surplus funds every year for the lease's first five years. After five years, the school board would set aside $150,000 per year for the following 15 years to ensure building upkeep.
Mr. Stuart estimates it will cost "a minimum of $2 million," a figure that will likely be bonded or borrowed, to repair all the current problems in the district's buildings. And then there is the matter of future upkeep.
After procuring official estimates for the outstanding maintenance issues, Dr. Storm's plan suggests going to referendum, perhaps in May, for voter approval on a bonding or borrowing request. Then the district can start fixing the buildings.
Despite of all the new facilities manager talk, the district already has an employee to fill that role, Paul Cullen, who declined to comment.
Matt Franjola, who chairs the school board, said that personnel additions or changes will be looked at, but it is up to the region to determine what steps should be taken.
"Some say management stinks, but others say it's a problem with insufficient funding," said Mr. Franjola about how the schools have reached their relatively dreadful condition. "But we cannot change personnel very quickly, especially with union rules ... but in general, I'd say the job needs to be improved."
However, he also warned that should the towns not sign a lease before the end of the school year, they could wind up "shooting themselves in the foot," as further delay could hinder major capital improvement projects.
Still, when asked whether the district should retain its current maintenance management or explore a new path, Ms. Henry of Roxbury said, "If you continue to do what you always do, you're going to get what you always get."
Her statement reflects the frustration the Roxbury selectmen have repeatedly exhibited over the schools' poor condition.
It was indicated to The Litchfield County Times that Dr. Storm would not discuss the selectmen's letter. And at last week's school board meeting, specifics of the letter were not addressed in any substantive manner.
But school board member Valerie Andersen, who also chairs the region's Finance Committee, said the board isn't inclined to being "micromanaged" by the selectmen.
"I hope the towns and the selectmen allow the region to take care of its own personnel, and they [the region] are," stated Ms. Andersen, firmly.
The next meeting of the region's Facilities Committee is at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 20, in the Shepaug Valley High School library.
