Sherman Connecticut News

Sherman Weighs Extra $6.5M for School

August 15th 2025

BOS Late Hour School Renovation Funding Save

UPDATE AUG 23 2025: ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING REFERENDUM - RESULTS:
503 Yes,
347 No

Sherman Officials Advance Costly School Renovation Amid Budget Concerns and Public Criticism

Voters will decide whether to authorize more funding as questions persist about cost forecasting, debt impact, and fiscal oversight by the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education.

The Town of Sherman will hold a referendum on Saturday, August 23, 2025, asking voters whether to approve an additional $6.5 million for the “renovate as new” Sherman School project, including its central administrative space. According to the official warning, $2.5 million of that amount would be financed through the issuance of new municipal bonds, notes, or temporary notes, with the remainder expected to be offset by grants or other sources. Voting is scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Sherman Emergency Services Facility, and voter registration closes on August 22.

This request follows prior approvals for the project and reflects a significant funding shortfall driven by higher-than-expected construction bids and added costs. While inflation and labor constraints have affected construction markets statewide, the size of Sherman’s new request has intensified scrutiny of the project’s financial planning and risk management.

The Board of Selectmen (BoS) and Board of Education (BoE) face mounting questions about the assumptions used to estimate the project’s original cost and contingency. Critics argue the initial projections did not adequately stress-test key risks—such as bid timing, supply volatility, and specialty work—leaving the town vulnerable when bids exceeded expectations.

By seeking a large supplemental appropriation, the boards are signaling that earlier cost models have not held up in current market conditions. For taxpayers, this raises practical concerns about whether the town’s forecasting, procurement strategy, and construction sequencing were sufficiently rigorous at the outset.

If approved, the referendum would add $2.5 million in new debt on top of existing obligations for the project. Although this is less than half of the new appropriation, additional borrowing can compound budget pressures in future years, particularly if interest costs rise or if unforeseen issues lead to further overruns.

Officials have expressed confidence that the additional funding will stabilize the budget and allow completion. However, given recent cost slippage, residents are weighing whether current controls, contract terms, and escalation assumptions are robust enough to prevent another round of supplemental requests.

The August referendum date coincides with peak vacation season, a factor some residents worry could depress turnout on a high-stakes fiscal question. While absentee voting is available, transparency concerns persist. Detailed explanations of the shortfall—broken out by bid package, scope changes, and contingency usage—have not been consistently presented in widely accessible formats, leaving some voters without a clear view of how and why the original budget fell short.

Beyond the school’s immediate needs, the vote functions as a broader assessment of fiscal oversight by the BoS and BoE. The pattern of budget escalation and urgent funding requests has prompted calls for tighter cost controls, clearer risk disclosures, and more proactive public communication. The outcome on August 23 will shape not only the school project’s trajectory but also public confidence in the town’s approach to planning, contracting, and long-term financial stewardship.