Warren: Not interested in school deregionalization study

As Bristol continues to lay the groundwork for a study into the future of the Bristol Warren Regional School District, the Town of Warren will take part — but it doesn’t want to talk about deregionalization.

Last month, the Bristol Town Council prepared a draft RFP (request for proposals) in hopes of starting a three-part study on the district’s funding authority, enabling legislation and makeup, and whether deregionalization is a viable option for the two towns. The cost for the study would likely be split by both towns, with some possible help from the state.

Bristol council members gave their counterparts on the Warren Town Council a draft of the RFP for their review last month, and the section on deregonalization was widely criticized by Warren councilors.

At a recent meeting, council president Joseph DePasquale said that while Warren has reviewed the draft and has submitted its own draft RFP back to the Bristol, there’s one big change: Warren’s draft does not contain any study of deregionalization.

“Our interest is not to look at deregionalization, so that was removed,” Mr. DePasquale said. “Now we’re just looking at enabling legislation (and) potential funding” mechanisms.

While Mr. DePasquale and other Warren council members do not favor deregionalization, he wants to stay involved with Bristol’s study — to a point.

“We cant’ stop our partnering community from doing what they want to do independently,” he said. “We’re giving our input, if they’re interested in having us participate.”

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