State Senator Dan Debicella (R-Shelton) is pleased to announce that the School Construction Project Review Committee, of which is he a member, has unanimously approved just over $17.6 million in State Funding for the Grade 5 & 6 Upper Elementary School in Shelton. This particular project was approved as one of the highest priority projects, known as Category A.

“This is fantastic news for the students in the City of Shelton. As legislators, we have a responsibility to help provide the best possible learning environments for our state’s youth. This significant state commitment is a great step in that direction,” said Senator Debicella.

Having the project approved by the School Construction Project Review Committee guarantees that Shelton will receive state money once the construction is under way. The funding will be used to help make alterations to the former Intermediate School to convert it for use as a district-wide upper elementary school for grades five and six. Once completed, the Lafayette School will close and fewer Lafayette students will need to be relocated. The state money will pay for 42.5% of the renovations, according to Debicella.

“While the process for approving bonding for schools is a long one, thanks to the leadership of people like State Representative Dick Belden (R-Shelton) I am confident that the state and city will partner to pay for this new school for Shelton’s students.”

Shelton’s 5/6 school and other similar school construction projects were on the 2007 School Building Project Priority Category List, which totaled over $460 million. The bill now moves to the Finance Committee, where it will need to be approved before moving to full passage by the General Assembly.

Senator Debicella was elected in November to his first term representing the 21st District, which is comprised of Stratford, Shelton, Seymour, and Monroe. He is an Assistant Minority Leader and serves as the Ranking Senator on the General Assembly’s Commerce Committee.