The Wallingford Board of Education held a community forum on May 3 to solicit feedback on draft educational specifications for a proposed consolidated high school, emphasizing that the board must adopt final ed specs before seeking state reimbursement and town approval.

Superintendent Belizzi noted that the board previously voted in February 2023 "to consolidate to 1 high school," and that the ed specs are intended to translate the district's educational priorities into building requirements. She told attendees the district hired Colliers to develop a 10‑year capital plan and to draft the ed specs after gathering input from teachers, administrators and departmental leaders.

Scott Pelham of Colliers told the forum the next steps are to convert the ed specs into cost ranges and site‑specific estimates. "When we budget the project, we will include both design and construction contingencies," Pelham said, adding that costs will include land, design, contingencies and year‑over‑year escalation. Pelham said Colliers will provide separate pricing for optional features such as a pool or auditorium so the community can compare base and add‑on scenarios.

Superintendent Belizzi described a target schedule tied to state funding deadlines: the district is "hoping right now, to be able to do that probably, you know, February, March" for board approval of ed specs and aims "to try to apply for a grant by June thirtieth of 20 26." She said, if funding and approvals align, construction and opening could take five to six years, which is the basis for the current estimate of a fall 2031 opening.

Board and consulting staff described additional studies the district will need before a final package goes to town council, including transportation and traffic studies, and noted that the land purchase cost is separate from building cost. The board plans to return to regular board meetings to consider public feedback and revise the ed specs before a formal vote to finalize them and present an overall project cost range to the town council.

The board emphasized that state reimbursement rules and the district's fiscal capacity will affect what elements the town can expect to receive funding for and what will carry a local cost burden. The forum closed with board members inviting more written questions and noting future meetings will consider the feedback gathered at the forum.