To the editor:

The Bristol Warren Regional School District (BRWSD) is in the process of seeking approval of a $200 million bond issue for the construction of a new high school and for making meaningful improvements to other schools in the district.

Is this a need, or a want?

Unless replacement and construction of a new high school is an absolute imperative need because of student and staff health and safety concerns, is it fair to ask whether the project is truly needed or simply wanted? $200 million is one heck of a lot of taxpayer money.

What specific facts can the BWRSD, the Joint Finance Committee and the school building committee cite to support making a compelling case for a new high school?

Is the overriding issue making the situation so dire the health and safety of staff and students? If not, then if the structure has been good enough over the years, even though less than ideal, what makes the need now so compelling?

The stages of the process thus far have included: Aug. 28 — first preliminary rendering released; Sept. 7 — a public forum will be scheduled to further discuss the design elements and financial implications of project; Sept. 15 — deadline for submitting Stage 2 project plan(s) to RIDE; Sept. 18 — deadline for submitting the bond referendum to the Board of Elections to go on the ballot and be decided by the voters of Bristol and Warren on Nov. 8; Nov. 8 — voters to approve or disapprove the bond issue.

How/when will taxpayers receive all the specific financial information necessary for them to make an informed decision on the bond issue?
Why must taxpayers wait until after the proposal is made to the state on Sept. 15 to receive information on the specific financial impact to each taxpayer and confirmation that the promised state/federal reimbursement is assured? Clarify the math!

How does the statewide school construction bond of $250 million relate to the $200 million bond issue residents will be asked to approve on Nov. 8?
Might the interest on the new high school bond be as much as $178 million, making the total cost of issuing and financing the bond $378 million?

Are we then to be reimbursed 63% or 83% of 200 million or 378 million?

What actual percentage of costs is to be reimbursed and when? Is it guaranteed? How do we know?

Are costs for meaningful improvements to other schools included in the reimbursements?

Who specifically serves on the school building committee?

Who has been hired as the project manager and architect and at what cost?

When will the district and the taxpayers know they will receive RIDE’s 20% additional reimbursement incentive?

The BWRSD School Committee states that it understands the financial impact of a large taxpayer funded project and is very focused on the cost of the total project. What then is your best educated calculation of the total cost of the project; the total reimbursement expected; whether the reimbursement is assured; and the resulting impact for taxpayers on their property tax rate?

With respect to the model shown in the Phoenix, why is there a separate two-story building for freshmen?

Why is there such a large media center building? What is the purpose of that building?

Pete Hewett
Wendy Drive