Newtown OKs spending to begin work toward new elementary school

Residents of Newtown, Conn., have approved spending $750,000 as a first step toward building a new elementary school to replace the one that was the scene of one of the nation’s worst gun attacks on children.

At a town meeting on Wednesday night, about 200 people approved spending the state funds on preparatory work toward building the new school on land where the former Sandy Hook Elementary School sits, abandoned since the massacre on Dec. 14. The town meeting lasted about seven minutes, and no one spoke against spending the money, according to the News-Times of Danbury.

“This is a very positive statement to the avenue we are proceeding down,” said Selectman James Gaston, according to the newspaper.

Selectman Will Rodgers agreed, saying, “I’m happy we acted unanimously, and there was such a good showing.”

Adam Lanza, 20, shot 20 children and six educators at the school, then killed himself. He began his shooting spree by killing his mother in the home they shared.

Sandy Hook became an international symbol of gun violence and of efforts to curb the availability of guns. While some gun-limitation measures have moved ahead in various states, including in Connecticut, federal efforts have languished.

Pupils at Sandy Hook never returned to classes at the building, instead going to other schools.

In May, elected town officials decided to build a new school.

The town plans a referendum in October to approve spending the remainder of the $50 million in state funds set aside for the new school.

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