PHOTOS: New Central Middle School Marks Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting

It was a warm day just like the one last August when a steel beam covered in signatures was hoisted into place at a topping off ceremony.

Mondays grand opening of the new Central Middle School marked the biggest capital project ever in the Town of Greenwich.

As the old school was being demolished and the massive rock outcropping being crushed, a crowd of mostly elected officials, PTA members, and building committee members gathered for remarks and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Former building committee chair Tony Turner, building committee secretary Christina Poccia, building committee member Tod Klair, Board of Education rep Bob Chaney, Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, CMS principal Tom Healy, First Selectman Fred Camillo, BET rep to the building committee Harry Fisher, building committee members Josh Caspi and Steph Cowie. August 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager, copyright Greenwich Free Press

Tony Turner, Christina Poccia, Tod Klair, Bob Chaney, Dr. Toni Jones, CMS principal Tom Healy and First Selectman Fred Camillo. August 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager, copyright Greenwich Free Press

First Selectman Fred Camillo said unlike ribbon cuttings, there is typically a lot of opposition at groundbreakings.

“There’s an old saying that victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan,” he said, adding that tough questions were posed, and the project was well vetted. “We want to thank all the members of the building committee and the BET – even the ones who may not have been in favor in the beginning.”

“It takes a team effort,” he added.

Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones said she’d never forget receiving a call that the old school was condemned back in 2022.

The 1950’s era middle school building was closed to human occupancy in 2022 and then reopened after being shored up. It was briefly closed again after an earthquake in April 2024.

“Sometimes, through adversity that’s how we really end up with something wonderful in our lives,” Jones added.

“Funding is part of it, and we stated at the beginning with emergency funding just to stay in Central,” she continued. “From there, it’s the BET, the RTM, it’s the BOE – everyone who spends hours and hours of volunteer time. There are states where they actually pay people to serve on those committees. We don’t do that in Connecticut. It truly is like having a job.”

Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones addressed the gathering at the grand opening for Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jones also thanked staff and principal Tom Healy.

“Your staff have stayed so flexible and stayed positive through all the adversity,” she said.

Jones also thanked Fire Marshal Mark Dawson and all the town staff involved in school buildings projects this summer – including Old Greenwich School and Julian Curtiss School.

Building committee chair Joe Rossetti said, “Today we bid a fond farewell to our old school that served us for nearly 70 years. What a beautiful place it is,” he joked as the adjacent demolition of the old school continued. “Many of you or your children attended the old CMS, I’m sure it’s bittersweet to see it removed.”

Mr. Rossetti thanked his committee members and many others by name for their work and devotion to the project. He also thanked neighbors for their patience.

“We recognize and honor the massive, cooperative team effort of every person who played any part of bringing this school to fruition,” he said. “Many people and organizations contributed strongly, if quietly, in achieving our goal. Thank you for working through early mornings, late nights and weekends. You poured your skills and sweat into every single detail, estimate, classroom and supporting system. You deserve to take great pride in your work – that’s for everybody.”

Rossetti said some work remained to be completed, including sports fields, hardscaping and landscaping.

“Based on our current understanding and expectations, we are hopeful we will deliver the project withing the original $112 million appropriation and realize $20 million in reimbursements. Thank you, representatives,” he said to State Reps Meskers, State Rep Arzeno and former State Rep Rachel Khanna.

Back in 2024, Greenwich House delegation to Hartford secured the State grant commitment for 20% reimbursement, a percentage that exceeded expectations.

State Rep Steve Meskers (D-`50), Selectwoman Rachel Khanna, CMS principal Tom Healy, State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) and CMS building committee chair, Joe Rossetti. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

During a tour of the ground floor of the new school, Principal Healy described the its secure vestibule where all visitors arrive as a “man trap.” He noted the media center which was originally central to the building, was relocated off to the side during an addition in 2000.

“We wanted to bring the media center back to central area of the building. We are extraordinarily proud of the arts at CMS, and the the auditorium, which is an important community space for the RTM and the BOE for their meetings, is centrally located as well.”

The downstairs features two main corridors that lead to identical staircases, with auditorium and music classrooms and the media center and courtyards in the middle.

“Because we are built into a hill, it’s a wonderful way to make sure our lower areas in the back get natural light,” Healy said of the interior courtyards.

Upstairs there are academic pods or “neighborhoods” for each grade. Each grade is divided into two academic neighborhoods are divided into two team areas to foster collaborative learning and interpersonal skills. The sixth graders are on the side of the building with the gymnasium and cafeteria.

Healy said the boulders in the courtyards and out front were reused from the site, and the outdoor benches were made from the trees removed from the site.

He said additional opportunities for tours will be announced in coming weeks.

Building committee vice chair Claire Kilgallen, former chair Tony Turner, building committee secretary Christina Poccia, building committee Tod Klair, Board of Education rep Bob Chaney, Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, CMS principal Tom Healy, First Selectman Fred Camillo, BET rep Harry Fisher, building committee members Josh Caspi and Steph Cowie, chair Joe Rossetti. August 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager, copyright Greenwich Free Press

Former Selectwoman and BET member Jill Oberlander with Greenwich Schools Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Ben Branyan. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Town Clerk Jackie Budkins, Selectwoman Rachel Khanna, BOE member Veronica Chiavaroli and BET member Leslie Tarkington at the grand opening of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026. Photo: Leslie Yager

Former BOE member Dr. Michael-Joseph Mercanti Anthony with BET chair David Weisbrod, BET member Joe Kelly and BOE member Paul Cappiali at the grand opening of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

BET chair David Weisbrod stood to applaud at the grand opening of the new Central Middle School. Aug 224, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones and principal Tom Healy cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Fire Marshal Mark Dawson and Marc D’Amico, Greenwich Schools Chief Officer of K-12 Curriculum and Leadership. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

BOE member Karen Krause, former BOE member Dr. Michael-Joseph Mercanti Anthony, BOE member Paul Cappiali. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Rep Steve Meskers (D-150) with Board of Estimate and Taxation chair David Weisbrod. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Front of Central Middle School features boulders that were excavated from the site. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Peter Samponaro, ex officio RTM rep to the building committee, Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, building committee vice chair Claire Kilgallen, former building committee chair Tony Turner, building committee secretary Christina Poccia, building committee member Todd Klair, Board of Education rep to building committee Bob Chaney, Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, CMS principal Tom Healy, First Selectman Fred Camillo, BET rep Harry Fisher, building committee members Josh Caspi and Steph Cowie, neighborhood liaison Susan Rudolph, P&Z commissioner Dennis Yeskey and building committee chair Joe Rossetti. August 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Building committee vice chair Claire Kilgallen, former chair Tony Turner, building committee secretary Christina Poccia, building committee Todd Klair, Board of Education rep Bob Chaney, Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, CMS principal Tom Healy, First Selectman Fred Camillo, BET rep Harry Fisher, building committee members Josh Caspi and Steph Cowie, chair Joe Rossetti. August 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo shared remarks during the grand opening of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones shared remarks at the grand opening of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Central Middle School gymnasium. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

BET member Laura Erickson and CMS building committee vice chair Clare Kilgallen at the grand opening of the new middle school. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Corridor soon to be filled with children at the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Cafeteria at the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Interior courtyard brings light into the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Media center at the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 20267 Photo: Leslie Yager

CMS principal Tom Healy led a tour of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Second interior courtyard. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

BOE member Bob Chaney shared remarks at the grand opening of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

CMS principal Tom Healy shared the vision of the graduate at the grand opening of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

Grand opening of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

CMS principal Tom Healy led a tour of the new Central Middle School. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager

P&Z commissioner Dennis Yeskey and P&Z commission chair Margarita Alban joined a tour of the ground floor of the new school led by CMS principal Tom Healy. Aug 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager