The Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education recently approved the Barrington school building project for the $250 million in funding.

On Tuesday, May 28, the Council voted to approve more than $1.3 billion in new school construction projects across the state. Barrington’s project was among the 59 projects approved.

“This is a significant milestone for Barrington, as it means funding for the renovation and construction of four like-new schools has officially been secured from the state,” stated a press release from Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore. “It also allows the Barrington School Building Committee and the Committee’s team of architects and project managers to continue working toward Stage III of the Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE) Necessity of School Construction application.”

The school district already submitted the Stage II application. It calls for renovations and additions at four local schools: Barrington High School, Primrose Hill, Sowams and Nayatt. The three elementary buildings will be turned into Pre-K to Grade 5 schools. District officials have not yet decided what will happen with Hampden Meadows School. 

According to an earlier graphic shared by district officials, Barrington’s $250 million project will include $115 million worth of work at the high school. The Nayatt and Primrose Hill work is estimated to cost $46 million at each school, and the Sowams School work is expected to cost $43 million. 

At a School Committee meeting in February, Owners Project Manager Joe DeSanti told members of the Committee that they could continue to make design revisions and changes even after approving the Stage II application, as long as the concept, square footage and some other details remain unchanged. DeSanti said the work and any revisions become part of an ongoing conversation with officials from the Rhode Island Department of Education. 

Barrington School Committee Chairman Patrick McCrann has said that bond counsel has recommended staging the bond — that the district does not need to bond all the money for the different phases of the project up front. He said that would be a win-win for taxpayers.