The Plan

Elementary Schools: Murphy and Tisko

Branford's elementary schools average more than 70 years old and face extraordinary capital needs. Murphy and Tisko will serve as Branford's two elementary schools going forward, with renovations and additions designed for long-term use and modern learning — not new buildings, but a full modernization of the buildings Branford already has.

Improvements include:

• Updated classrooms

• Improved gymnasium and cafeteria spaces

• Modernized kitchens and support areas

• Site and accessibility enhancements

 

Currently, both schools are also being evaluated to ensure they can support additional enrollment as John B. Sliney Elementary School closes and its students transition to Murphy and Tisko. 

Specific classroom layouts and program details are being finalized through the District's Educational Specifications process. Once approved, that information will be added here.

Originally the elementary schools were intended to be simultaneously phased, occupied renovations, but it was determined during the initial feasibility process that this could result in nearly 4-5 years of construction time and significant additional cost. 

The new plan is to close one school and then use Sliney and the other elementary school as “swing space”, which is essentially a space to put students during construction so the team can “swing” around the building renovating portions at a time. 

This will result in a renovation timeframe that is expected to be closer to 18 months and a major reduction in cost.

 

Why Elementary Schools First?

Starting with Murphy and Tisko lets Branford address its most urgent elementary needs now, while high school improvements move forward in a phased approach that tackles critical repairs today and lays the groundwork for the future.

 

As part of this plan, John B. Sliney Elementary School will close, allowing the District to consolidate resources into two modernized, right-sized elementary schools rather than maintaining three aging buildings.

 

Branford High School

Branford High School's core systems need attention now. Our assessments and plan found that most of the core mechanical systems at BHS are rated as “poor” or “very poor”. In fact, the HVAC system is in a state of failure and needs to be addressed immediately. As part of our phased plan, we address the school in two stages: urgent repairs first, followed by longer-term improvements as funding and planning allow.

Urgent repairs already underway or planned include:

• Total roof replacement

• HVAC/Power system (COGEN) upgrades

 

Longer-term improvements planned for the high school include:

• Updated learning spaces

• Improvements to common areas

• Cafeteria and kitchen upgrades

• Career and technical education spaces

• Ongoing system and technology upgrades

 

These improvements are designed to meaningfully extend the life and usefulness of the current building over the next 10–15 years, while the District and Town continue to evaluate longer-term options for the high school.

 

A Phased Approach

Phase 1 - Replacing and Upgrading Exterior Envelope Components | 2026-2027

This phase focuses on the school’s skylights (roof/Kalwall), overall roof updates, HVAC/Power system (COGEN), and wall (Kalwall).

 

Phase 2 - Re-imagining Media Center, Commons, Cafeteria, and Kitchen spaces | 2029-2033

This phase focuses on:

• Re-imagining the existing Media Center as a new cafeteria space and kitchen. Above Media on the second floor

• Re-imagining the underutilized faculty work space into growing Career Academy (CA/CTE) program space

• Re-imagining the existing Cafeteria (Student Commons) into a Media Center that is at the heart of the school, surrounded by Career Academy (CTE) and Media/Technology resource spaces.

 

Phase 3 - Re-imagine the upper level science and Career Academy/CTE spaces | 2033-2037

This phase focuses on maintaining the programmatic use of these spaces while also:

• bringing in more collaborative breakout spaces

• updating technology and finishes

• accommodating the growth of the science program, including flexibility for additional labs and new offerings within the discipline

 

Phase 4 - Renovate the Fitness and Locker Rooms on the lowest level | 2036-2040

This phase also focuses on maintaining use of these spaces while renovations are occurring.

 

Phase 5 - Complete any remaining CIP items | 2039-2042

Note that annual CIP projects will have been ongoing, concurrent with earlier phases.

 

Early Childhood Education and Pre-K

The District serves approximately 190 Pre-K students each year, currently in spaces originally designed for older students. The Master Facilities Plan relocates Pre-K into purpose-built spaces designed specifically for how young children learn — different scale, different safety needs, different classroom design than a typical elementary classroom. 

These will be located in dedicated spaces at the two renovated elementary schools and will be:

• Safe and age-appropriate

• Designed for early childhood education

• Adaptable as enrollment and state guidance evolve

 

There will be no separate early childhood center. Indian Neck will likely remain open, similar to Sliney, until construction is complete at both Murphy and Tisko.