Sen. Cohen, Rep. Parker Celebrate New Elementary School in Madison
(Left to Right: Superintendent Dr. Craig Cooke, State Representative John-Michael Parker,State Senator Christine Cohen, Neck River Principal Becky Frost)
MADISON, CT – On Tuesday, State Senator Christine Cohen, State Representative John-Michael Parker, First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons and several local leaders celebrated the official ribbon-cutting of the brand new Neck River Elementary School in Madison.
Last year, Sen. Cohen and Rep. Parker increased the state reimbursement rate for this project 10 percent from 18.21 percent to 28.21 percent, saving Madison taxpayers roughly $6 million.
According to Madison Public Schools, the new Neck River Elementary School is a 60,000 square foot building that is energy efficient, safe, and meets the needs of modern education. The building was designed in accordance with Connecticut High Performance Building standards and runs on a geothermal round-sourced heat pump system. The building has spaces for core instruction, related arts, a library media center, a gym, a stage, three playgrounds and much more. Neck River will hold over 600 students in grades PreK-5.
“I am thrilled to see this project completed, and just in time for a new school year,” said Sen. Cohen. “Neck River is a vision of the future – it uses clean and energy efficient technology, while creating a classroom that will best serve the needs of students in today’s age. This project is a great example of local and state collaboration to best serve our residents. What will now truly bring this school to life are the hardworking teachers who inspire and the students who will fill the halls with laughter and learning.”
“This ribbon cutting is the latest in a series of projects that will provide critical renovations to the infrastructure of Madison’s schools,” Rep. Parker said. “As this project is in my hometown, it holds special meaning for me, and I’m especially proud of the role we played in securing a higher state reimbursement rate — saving taxpayers in our district $6 million. These construction projects will provide our students with the modern facilities they need for their education, and I can’t wait to see the final result.”
“Neck River is one of many major investments being made by the Town as part of the Madison School Renewal Plan approved by voters in 2022 – a plan which has allowed us as a community to create new, up-to-date learning spaces that live up to our well-deserved reputation as an exceptional school district,” said First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons. “Just as previous generations built and supported so many of our school buildings over the last 75 years, now it is our turn to open up this new, beautiful, highly efficient building and continue our commitment to invest in Madison’s very bright future.”
“We are excited to open up the doors of the first new school in Madison in over 20 years,” said Dr. Craig Cooke, Superintendent of Schools. This beautiful school reflects the town’s commitment to ensuring that Madison students have modern, dynamic, comfortable learning spaces.”
“At the end of the day, this project says, ‘We care.’ We care about our students, our educators, and our community’s future,” said Board of Education Chair Seth Klaskin. “We’ve invested in modern, safe, energy-efficient, and educationally appropriate schools because that’s the Madison Way. To my fellow taxpayers and voters—thank you for sharing in the vision and making it real. I am immensely proud and deeply humbled to have played a role in this progress for our town.”
