New Haven Independent

That news was revealed at Thursday night’s meeting of the Citywide School Building Committee.

Three school projects were closed at the meeting: renovated Lincoln-Bassett and Hillhouse High School and newly-built John S. Martinez School.

What does that mean? Budget changes were approved and sent to the state for audits — and, officials hope, more dough.

Tom Roger (pictured) of the Board of Ed’s $1.5 billion citywide school rebuilding plan, said the budgets are absolutely preliminary.

“We won’t know ‘till it goes through the audit,” he said. “Which can take years.”

With school construction budgets, both the state and city pay. The state pays for eligible improvements and the city covers what the state deems ineligible. The state has a set of regulations, but what is ineligible is not always “black and white,” said Roger.

For example, energy upgrades are being made on many new schools. Some are eligible and some are ineligible for state reimbursement, said school construction coordinator Susan Weisselberg, pictured.

“The payback is such that they’ll be more energy efficient,” she said. “And cost less in terms of operating.”

The Hillhouse High School budget project was decreased from $73.4 million to $68.3 million. during the ‘06-‘07 fiscal year. However, the final project costs went over budget by $1,67 million.

The John S. Martinez budget decreased from $38.5 million to $37,66 million; the Lincoln- Bassett costs were in line with the local budget but were over the state budget. To close the project, an increase for the state budget portion, from $17.98 million to $18.4 million, was sought.

Mayor John DeStefano said budget reimbursement from the state depends on the interpretation of standards. He also said it would be months before the final determination is made.

The committee delayed discussion on the new Metropolitan Business Academy on Water Street. The budget is over due to “escalation” and site acquisition that is higher than the original budget.

“It’s unlikely to get back to $36 million,” said Roger. “But we can take a bite out of it.”

The school and budget will be discussed at greater length at the next meeting, Aug. 9 at 5 p.m.

DeStefano said a master plan with more budget info and city debt info projected at least five years will be available in September.