The council committee's decision Wednesday was a step toward setting that figure. The committee also will recommend that the full council hold a public hearing on the project Jan. 23. I don't think the design was done with any attempts to be austere or to save the town money. O'Beirne said the designs didn't include any new classrooms for grades 1 through 5. School officials have said the designs attempted to provide staff more room to conduct educational programs mandated by the state.
Some staff now work off carts or in closets and storage rooms.
The project also proposes abandoning Groton Heights Elementary School.