City gets $1.08 million for school improvements
DANBURY — The district on Tuesday was awarded a $1.08 million state grant to improve school buildings.
The money will go toward general upgrades and is separate from grants the city has requested for the Ellsworth Avenue Elementary School annex and the Danbury Career Academy.
“This million-dollar grant for Danbury schools is much needed, but at the same time we are working for even more funding from the state,” state Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, said in a statement.
“One major focus right now is to secure an 80 percent reimbursement rate for the proposal for a new school — the Danbury Career Academy. We want to make sure that every student in Danbury has a great educational experience.”
That $45 million academy for middle and high school students would would help address enrollment growth and be built in the Summit @ Danbury — the former 1.2 million-square-foot Matrix building, originally
Union Carbide headquarters..
The latest funding approved Tuesday by the state Bond Commission would pay for upgrades to windows, doors, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, communications/technology systems, lockers, floors, ceilings, restrooms, lighting, energy efficiency, entryways, driveways, parking areas, athletics fields, various equipment, roof repairs and installation or upgrade of security equipment.
The district especially needs the money as it balances expenses from the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
Danbury students started the school year on distance learning due to a spike in coronavirus cases in the city, but the district hopes to move to the hybrid model in mid-to-late October if health conditions improve.
“As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect and change the way we approach the education of our youth, this funding could not be timelier," State Rep. David Arconti, D-Danbury, said. “I will continue to support the allocation of resources that facilitate learning that adapts to current and future needs.”