Wilder
Hartford School District Superintendent Tom DeBalsi said the money will allow him to move forward with a plan to replace the building’s heating system and remove asbestos.
The School Board unanimously approved the expenditure on Wednesday night, according to draft minutes of the meeting.
The Wilder School hosts the Regional Alternative Program, which serves about 25 K-12 students with behavioral issues from towns throughout the Upper Valley.
In December, the board rejected the idea of a $5 million bond to completely renovate the Wilder School, addressing not only the heating system and asbestos, but code-deficient doors, less-than-ideal learning spaces, a lack of handicap accessibility, cracked steps, a leaky roof, and a general lack of energy efficiency caused by old, poorly fitted windows.
Under DeBalsi’s proposal, Hartford’s Autism Regional Program would be moved into the building, which would have increased the student population and offset some of the bond costs.
That bond failed on a 3-2 vote, with Nancy Russell, Paula Nulty and Chairwoman Lori Dickerson expressing concerns about whether the plan had been vetted thoroughly enough to send to taxpayers.
Board members Kevin Christie and Peter Merrill voted in favor of the bond, saying it was unfair to teach marginalized students in a building that did not meet the standards of the district’s mainstream students.
During the board’s consideration of the proposal, one of the details that emerged was a heating system that included exposed radiators that Wilder School staff members said have burned both students and staff.
On Friday, DeBalsi said that the $275,000 would come from monies that already have been budgeted within the district, and would not impact the tax rate.
During Town Meeting on March 7, Hartford voters will be presented with a $1.46 million bond for the repair of the parking lot surrounding the complex including Hartford High School, Hartford Memorial Middle School and the Career Center.
That bond was approved on a 4-0 vote, with Merrill abstaining.
Matt Hongoltz-Hetling can be reached at mhonghet@vnews.com or 603-727-3211.