A referendum is being held Tuesday in Danbury about whether $53.5 million in bonding should be allocated for the planning, design, and construction of additions, renovations and improvements to Danbury High School.  More than half of the cost will be paid for by the state.

The design would essentially give the 9th grade their own building, creating the Freshmen Academy.  The project includes a two story gym, an academic floor and a science and computer lab level.  The bond proposal also includes a new roof, which will be outfitted with solar panels. 

Enrollment is projected to increase for the next several years.  City Councilman Irv Fox, a former Board of Education member, says it's been several years that there's been a need for more space. 

Fox says room needs to be made immediately in the operating budget three to four years from now, to staff the building when the project is complete.  He says that needs to be accomplished without decimating the rest of the school budget.

Fox says financial planning for the operational budget needs to start now so it's ready to go when the building is complete.