John Pettibone School closes at the end of June, but the future use of the building could remain in Board of Education purview.
NEW MILFORD — As the New Milford Board of Education decides on the future use of Pettibone School after its closing in July, a legal opinion has been received from the board’s attorney at Pullman & Comley.
Attorney Michael P. McKeon determined that although the town owns the shcool building, the Board of Education has control over its school-related use. In short, as long as the building is used for “school purposes,” the Board of Education does not have to turn the building over to the town.
Once such use ends, however, the building reverts to town control.
To keep building use under school board jurisdiction: the Central Office could be moved from East Street to the Pettibone building. It could be used as an in-district therapeutic placement for special education students. It could be used as an alternative high school. It could even be used to store education board property and supplies.
There is no statutory time frame in which the Board of Education must decide how it intends to use the building following Pettibone School closure, McKeon said.
“The decision on the building’s future use is in committee at this time,” said board member David Lawson. “There is no rush in making a decision, so we can do the transition and give our direct attention to any unanticipated issues that may arise.”
Board of Education Chairwoman Angie Chastain said that committee’s discussion will continue in April subcommittee meetings.
“I have no preconceived notions abut the future use of the building,” Chastain said. “It will have to be decided among the board.”