Two days from now on January 19, 2010, the Meriden City Council and Board of Education will hold a joint public hearing to explain the options for Meriden's high schools and to listen to what the residents of Meriden think about the anticipated upgrade of Platt and Maloney High Schools and the related 21st Century curriculum. These projects have been the subject of public discussion for over three years now. We all agree that these projects are significant and that the time has come for this City to make a decision and move forward.

In this Op Ed series which ends with today's piece, we have attempted to divide the relevant information into digestible segments. Many aspects of these upgrades were discussed, the principal points of which are summarized below.

First, we explained why the projects must be done now:

-The schools are at the end of their useful life.

-The Board of Education is developing a 21st Century curriculum.

-Redesigned instructional spaces are needed.

-Meriden's 77 percent reimbursement rate may soon be reduced.

-Construction bids have never been more competitive.

-Bonding costs are relatively low.

-Inflationary influences increase the cost each year of delay.

-A statewide moratorium on school construction may be imposed.

Second, the viable options were explained:

-Completely new buildings on the same or different sites.

-New classroom wings and renovate the other spaces.

-Renovate like new the entire structures.

The new buildings would take about two years to construct, the hybrid option would take about three years to complete, and a full four years would be required to renovate the entire structures. In addition, new construction would be the least disruptive to the education process, while renovation like new would be the most disruptive.

Third, the importance of green technologies was discussed:

-The State reimburses 77 percent of the upfront costs.

-Meriden enjoys 100 percent of the future cost savings.

-Daylighting, fuel cell and solar panel options will be explored.

Fourth, the need for Meriden to maximize the return on its investment was emphasized through a summary of the secondary functions which our high schools serve:

-Emergency shelters.

-Community and governmental functions.

Fifth, the status of the 21st Century curriculum was provided:

-State and local revisions are underway.

-Use of technology will be increased.

-Specialized areas will be needed.

-Updated safety measures will be added.

-A freshman academy may be implemented.

Sixth, the cost estimates were analyzed:

-Current City share is estimated to be $70 million.

-Costs will be refined with education specifications.

-Costs will be refined by engineers and architects.

-Current estimates translate into about 1.35 mils.

-Equals about $190 per year in property taxes.

-May be offset by reduced City debt and an increased tax base.

Finally, the risks of delaying these projects were described:

-5 percent escalation adds $3.5 million per year to the City's share.

-School building systems will need repairs in the interim.

-Each percent reduction in State aid increases the City's share by $2.5 million.

-A 10 percent reduction in State aid increases the City's share by $25 million.

-The construction industry will rebound, increasing costs.

-Bonding costs will increase.

-Meriden's ability to educate our children will deteriorate.

As this is our final installment of the series, we would like to thank the Record-Journal for allowing us the opportunity to use this forum to disseminate all of this information to our residents.

Likewise, we hope that many of you will take advantage of the opportunity this Tuesday to share your thoughts on the high schools with the full City Council and Board of Education (7:00 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School). Anyone wishing to review any of the pieces in this series can go to the Record-Journal website, www.myrecordjournal.com, and under the Opinion tab select Meriden High Schools Guest Columns.

These projects no longer are optional, but we are all in this together, and a public discussion of the issues is important. Let's all do our part in helping to ensure that the best possible decision is made.

Brian P. Daniels is a City Councilor for Area 3 and was Chair of the High School Study Committee, and George McGoldrick is a City Councilor for Area 1, is a Deputy Majority Leader for the City Council, and was a member of the High School Study Committee.