Branford plans to expand and renovate two elementary schools, close another

Branford Public Schools is planning major changes to its elementary schools as the district continues to see an increase in student enrollment.

Christopher Tranberg, superintendent of Branford Public Schools, said that as part of the district’s master facilities plan, the district will expand and renovate two elementary schools and close another once the renovations are finished.

Mary Murphy and Mary Tisko Elementary will be expanded and renovated to include full-size gyms, larger cafeterias, and pre-K classrooms.

“We’re working towards a universal pre-K program, so we’re adding pre-K classrooms to each of those schools. We made some adjustments to our pre-K program last year, and we’re continuing to expand that; ultimately, we want all students in Branford to have access to our public education system,” Tranberg said.

Tranberg added that since joining the district in 2023, two student projection studies have been done, and they show stable student enrollment over the next decade.

Currently, the school district is in the process of applying for a state grant due on Oct. 1.

Superintendent Tranberg said if and when they are awarded the grant money, they have two years to begin construction; he anticipates construction would take two years, meaning it would be four to five years before one elementary school is completed.

“If all goes as planned, we would receive 72% reimbursement of the total cost of the project, so right now that means 72% of $196 million dollars,” Tranberg said.

Eventually, once Mary Murphy and Mary Tisko are fully renovated, he said they will be able to begin the consolidation with John B. Sliney Elementary School.

“It’s not actually impacting most of the families that are in the school right now, so we’ve had great support, but we’re going to continue that communication. We’re trying to be as transparent as possible.” 

The John B. Sliney Elementary School campus is nearly 100 years old; it replaced the former Branford High School.

The superintendent said that, given the school’s history, many people have community ties, but ultimately the campus does not align with the school district’s goals.

“There’s definitely some emotional attachment there but at the same time, the population of the school is too small to maintain it,” Tranberg said.

Construction at the elementary schools is expected to begin in 2028, according to the school district’s project website.

In Branford, the first of school of the 2026-2027 school year is Thursday, Aug. 27.

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