The proposed construction of a new Barrington Middle School cleared another hurdle on Thursday night, May 12.

According to sources, the town council voted 3-2 to petition the Rhode Island General Assembly for permission to ask voters to approve a multi-million dollar bond to build a new middle school in town. 

The motion reportedly included an estimate of $68 million for the new school, but council members said they were not endorsing that figure specifically.

Instead, they reportedly wanted school officials to reduce the anticipated cost of the new school. (The district is also hoping to be approved for 35 percent reimbursement funding from the Rhode Island Department of Education.)

The May 12 meeting included members of the town council, school committee, and appropriations committee. School officials reportedly opened the meeting with a cost estimate of $74 million for the new school; the earliest estimate was $80 million.

Council members reportedly voiced concern about the $74 million figure and school officials responded by offering the $68 million estimate. Officials said a $74 million bond would have resulted in a dramatic tax increase for Barrington residents. For example, a resident whose home is assessed at $400,000 would have to pay about $600 more in taxes each year for the next 25 years. 

Many of the town officials said they supported the construction of a new middle school in Barrington, but not at the proposed cost. Despite the concerns, the council voted 3-2 in favor of petition the state's general assembly for permission to place a bond question before voters this November.