Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton delivers annual State of the City address to some 400 business and civic leaders
At the annual State of the City address at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday, Mayor Mark Boughton revealed plans for a major educational improvement initiative he called “Danbury High School 20/20.” The multi-million project will include constructing a 110,000 square foot addition with solar panels onto the back of the existing building on Clapboard Ridge Road as a freshman academy. In addition, he announced that they will build a new gymnasium, enclose the cafeteria for a better dining experience for all students and a redesign of the front lobby that will improve aesthetics and enhance security with a double-front entrance. A $6 million new roof will also be part of the package.
The current adjacent automobile shop will be redesigned into a visual and performing arts center such that smaller community performances could be hosted without opening up the entire school for use of the auditorium.
Such an investment in the town’s educational system will result in enhanced property values, but most importantly better educational opportunities.
Though Boughton also listed a litany of economic development opportunities that will bring more jobs to Danbury, including Praxair’s selection of this city for construction of its $70 million headquarters, he outlined yet another educational intiative that would offer Danbury High School students an opportunity to team up with an expanded Naugatuck Community College for what he envisions as a dual high school diploma and associates’ degree opportunity.
Boughton was clear that he is proud of this city and it’s accomplishments, and relishes the future with its challenges and multiple opportunities for growth and prosperity.
“I’ve never been more excited about our city,” Boughton said.
On Sunday, the second anniversary of one of the worst school shooting in the nation’s history at the Sandy Hook Elementary School that killed 26 students and educators, Boughton asked that everyone take a “quiet moment” to dedicate themselves to embrace Newtown’s mantra: “Love Always Wins.”