Old Lyme residents turned out in record numbers at the annual town meeting on Monday, May 19, at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School to weigh in on a proposal to study dissolution of District 18 School District. The district serves approximately 1,550 students and includes Lyme and Old Lyme elementary schools and combined Lyme-Old Lyme High School.
Nearly 850 people showed up, overflowing from the auditorium to the school cafeteria, which became the voting center. After a shortened debate, they voted 607 to 132 to defeat initiation of a study that would have to be paid for by town residents.
The consolidated school district was formed in 1972 following state-mandated procedures and a study. The school board and residents have been grappling with how to renovate or rebuild the current high school facility, now 29 years old, and at what cost.
After residents voted down a $54 million rebuilding project last year and the school issue took center stage in last fall’s town and school board elections. A reconstituted building committee presented a $48 million plan to the school board in February.
The board is studying latest options this month and is expected to make a recommendation over the summer. The final decision will be made by town residents in another referendum.
In approving the 2008-09 fiscal town budget of $30.7 million, residents did not vote in support of funding $195,000 in cost overruns on the Town Hall renovation project, slated for completion in September. The Old Lyme mill rate has been set at 19, up from 18.20 for the current fiscal year.
Last week the school board announced it has selected Elizabeth M. Osga, the head of the Griswold School System for the past 10 years, as the new District 18 superintendent. She is expected to assume the new role in late August. David Klein left the position earlier this year to be superintendent of Madison public schools, a larger school district.