The 87,000-square-foot Sandy Hook Elementary has been under construction since 2014 and is being built on the same site of the previous school, where 26 people were killed in a tragic shooting in December 2012. Milford, Mass.-headquartered Consigli Construction Co. is serving as the construction manager on the project, while New Haven, Conn.-based Svigal + Partners is serving as the architect. The project is scheduled for completion in June in time for the 2016-2017 school year.

Gov. Malloy said in a press conference on March 16 that the public should not see the payment cut as a slight to the school or town of Newtown. He said that his administration has been in touch with the town throughout the construction process and is well aware of the school’s progress.

Sen. Tony Hwang (R, Fairfield), who represents Newtown, said he believes that the state should continue with the payments to uphold its part of the deal. “This project is not complete and until it’s completed we want to be sure that the money is there to ensure proper compliance and proper construction completion, so it really was a frustrating exercise,” Hwang told NBC Connecticut.

Patricia Llodra, Newtown’s first selectman, however, said that the Gov. Malloy’s decision did not come as a surprise. Llodra believes that if there are unexpected financial issues, the state will address them, reported NBC Connecticut.

Gov. Malloy said at the March 16 press conference that taxpayers should be happy with the decision, adding that, “when the cost of completion is less than the initial expectation, we shouldn’t be spending that money.”

The school will feature three classroom wings, two of which are two stories in height and will overlook central courtyards. Breakout spaces in the form of “treehouses” will create alternative learning environments on the second floor. The curved entrance is also designed to leave the impression of a community embrace, with the entire building constructed to make connections with the natural landscape surrounding it. The main floor of the building is designed as a wide thoroughfare that connects the three separate wings of the school. The project will also include a new soccer and ball field.

The school’s 430 students are currently attending class at the former Chalk Hill Middle School in neighboring Monroe, Conn.
 

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Nelba Marquez-Greene, SHP’s Director of Mental Health and Relational Wellness, said in a statement that, although mental illness does not cause gun violence, it remains more than an occasional factor. “A holistic solution is needed to address the problem of gun violence, and looking at mental illness and general mental wellness are critical parts of the solution,” said Marquez-Greene.

According to a release issued by the group, “This funding will advance critical prevention efforts, providing training to teachers, providing services to students and young people at risk, and increasing the availability of trained behavioral health professionals.” Marquez-Greene adds that, “This is the first step…but we go forward in 2014 with hope, knowing that we have been heard, and as a result, lives may be saved.”

The bill passed the Senate easily by a 72 to 26 vote and includes multiple mental health allocations. It dedicates $15 million to Mental Health First Aid grants, training teachers to recognize early signs of mental illness so they can refer students and families to treatment. An additional $40 million was earmarked for Project Aware. This particular project will provide grants for comprehensive programs in up to 1,500 schools to link students with mental health issues to needed services. A program aimed at young adults at high risk of mental illness will also be developed using $20 million of the available funds.

The bill will also expand behavioral health workforce training opportunities. As a result of this new funding, an estimated 4,375 social workers, psychologists, therapists and other health professionals could be added to the workforce. Meanwhile, a $484 million investment in Mental Health Block Grants now directs states to use 5 percent of their Block Grants for early intervention programs for those with serious mental illness. This is anticipated to decrease the delay between the first onset of symptoms and people receiving necessary treatment. An additional $46 million and $65 million have been earmarked for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and suicide prevention programming respectively.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) also applauded the vote. “Expanding access to mental health services is one of the single most important steps we can take to prevent gun violence,” Blumenthal said in a statement. “Expanding access to these services…will help ensure that those who are dangerously mentally ill get the help they need before they hurt themselves or others.”

Sandy Hook Promise is a national, non-profit organization spearheaded by members of the Newtown community. The group’s mission is “to prevent the causes of gun violence by education and empowering parents to make changes in their community,” and to provide support to affected members of the Sandy Hook community.

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