RIDGEFIELD — The fastest growing city in the state is experiencing some growing pains in its schools.
This year, all four of the Ridgefield School District’s schools are at least 130 students over capacity — and the district plans to place a bond measure on the February ballot to pay for new schools.
The bond measure would be north of $90 million, most likely somewhere around $97 million, Superintendent Nathan McCann said. The final dollar amount will be decided by the school board in November.
District officials have worked with the community to come up with plans for the bond money. On Tuesday night, the district had a community forum so the public could learn more about where the money would go, and go over ideas from recent meetings with residents.
“We don’t want to be just another school district,” McCann said at the forum. “We are Ridgefield. We want to be the premiere school system in the state.”
A big part of the bond issue proposal is to build a new campus with two new schools, one for fifth- and sixth-graders, and a seventh- and eighth-grade school to replace View Ridge Middle School.
The district hosted a round of stakeholder meetings in September to discuss design ideas for the new schools, which would share some services, such as a library and cafeteria.
During one meeting about a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program, stakeholders suggested classrooms geared toward specific subjects; display space for projects; multipurpose rooms and labs designed for more than one function; an energy efficient building; and no offices for teachers, so they can be connected with students at all times.
In the media and library meeting, the group suggested smaller rooms where groups can study, tons of plug-ins to support working with electronic media and an easily accessible work station where a staff member can clearly see all students. The stakeholders also wanted to see the flexibility to transform spaces for the performing arts program, great acoustics and sufficient practice areas.
There also were stakeholder meetings about life skills and technology, food service, custodial services and athletics. A second round of stakeholder meetings started this week and will continue through October.
Along with the new schools, McCann said the district also will consider building more classrooms at Ridgefield High School. The bond issue would bring in around 1,300 more seats for students throughout the district.
In May, the school board voted to bring in 11 additional modular classrooms to its schools, so now all four schools have some help for the expanding enrollment numbers.
Other ideas for the bond money include security enhancements to existing schools, repurposing the downtown View Ridge Middle School campus with a partner, and an outdoor sports complex that the district would like to build with the city.
McCann said the district wants to meet its goal of becoming the state’s premier district through quality instruction, educational programs, community partnerships and learning environments. He added that creating modern, effective learning environments for students will be key to making the most of the bond money.
“School is their profession, it’s where they punch in and punch out every day,” McCann said. “Their environment matters.”
