With recent confusion and frustration expressed regarding an alt ering of the State’s reimbursement rate for the two new school building projects, N ew Fairfield Public School’s Director of Business and Operations Ms. Carrie DePuy was happy to step in and clarify where the reimbursement rates stand and why.

As of now, the project reimbursement rates remain the same—the elementary addition stands at 38.22% and the new high school is 28.22%. At this point, “The reimbursement rates have not decreased,” DePuy said, though “We are at risk of a reduction to 26.93% at the High School, du e to exceeding the space standard.” Originally billed as “right-sizing,” the new high school is smaller than the current school, as the student population in New Fairfield has steadily decreased over the years, leveling off in recent years.

DePuy described an appeal to the State that is in the works, “We are in the process of proactively reaching out to the state to illustrate our shared spaces to reduce the space that is exclusively being utilized by high school students, therefore meeting the standard and requesting the reimbursement rate to remain at 28.22%.” Though the hope would be to resolve the matter as soon as possible, given the budget season and the rapid approach to the project’s end, there may not be a resolution for some time, as DePuy explained “We expect a response by the end of the fiscal year.”

By Sarah Opdahl