FREEPORT – At stake for Regional School Unit 5 on Tuesday, Nov. 5, is a ballot question seeking to borrow $14,638,009 for academic renovations and field repairs at Freeport High School, and a separate ballot question, billed as a bond upgrade, that seeks $1,718,891 for the construction of synthetic field surfaces.

The vote comes on the heels of a $16.95 million bond that was narrowly rejected by voters on June 11.

The first expansion plan called for a 31,000-square-foot addition that would have been constructed to replace the industrial arts building on the northwest side of the school. A new athletic complex, which would have been built behind the high school, would have had an eight-lane track, as well as competition and practice spaces for discus, high jump, javelin, long jump, pole vault and shot put.

The reduction in scope this time around includes moving the industrial arts department to the existing cafeteria location, which is approximately 3,000 square feet. The seating area for a new cafeteria food court would be 4,500 square feet. The first bond would repair the main athletic fields, with no future plans to construct a track or convert to a synthetic turf field. In addition, two-thirds of the field hockey field would receive drainage repairs. The second bond would fund synthetic surfaces for the high school athletic fields.

After the June defeat, the district contracted with Triton Polling and Research of Henderson, Nev., to conduct a telephone survey of registered voters in order to determine why the referendum failed. Questions were also asked to determine whether amendments to the proposed renovations could be made to both meet the needs of the Freeport High School students and the expectations of the residents within the three towns that comprise RSU 5.

According to information supplied by RSU 5, the survey generally indicated that the bond was defeated because many voters were concerned about the cost impact. Further, some voters felt that the academic and athletic facility improvements should be separate ballot questions. Voters also expressed a desire to scale back the athletic improvements rather than scale back the academic improvements.

The decision to add an option on the athletic field portion has swayed some voters this fall, and includes an endorsement by the Pownal Board of Selectmen.

“Five years ago during the formation of RSU 5, the selectmen were presented with a study that stated Freeport High School would have adequate space for the next 10 years. We now know that information was incorrect. However, we feel that it is important to move forward. While we recognize our responsibility to be fiscally responsible, we also affirm the need to provide a quality education for our children,” the selectmen wrote in a letter to the Tri-Town Weekly this week. “After making visits to Freeport High School, attending numerous RSU 5 board meetings, and after much deliberation, the Pownal selectmen support Bond 1 because of its focus on providing an adequate educational experience for all Pownal and RSU 5 high school students. Bond 2 was not supported by the majority of the Selectmen. While recognizing the need for field improvements, the majority felt the additional financial impact on Pownal taxpayers was not acceptable.”

The results on the previous expansion proposal from Freeport, Durham and Pownal put the total votes on the school project at 2,202 against and 2,028 in favor. In Freeport, 1,623 were in favor, 902 opposed. Pownal trounced the bond, 472 to 118, and it was the same story in Durham, where 828 were against and 287 in favor.

A CLOSER LOOK

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the polls will be open in Freeport from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. in the gymnasium at Freeport High School, 30 Holbrook St. Absentee ballots are available at the Freeport Town Clerk’s Office now through Thursday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Freeport Town Clerk Tracey Stevens at 865-4743 or visit www.freeportmaine.com.

In Durham, polls will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Durham Community School, 654 Hallowell Road. Absentee ballots can be obtained by Oct. 31 by calling the Durham Town Office, 353-2561, or in person.

In Pownal, residents can vote at Mallett Hall, 429 Hallowell Road, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Absentee ballots are available until Oct. 31 at Mallett Hall or by visiting pownalmaine.org. For more information, contact Pownal Administrative Assistant Scott Seaver, 688-4611.