BOWDOINHAM
A set of public forums on the Mt. Ararat High School building project will kick off tomorrow in Bowdoinham.
In this round of forums, the School Administrative District 75 school board is seeking community feedback on the building committee’s recent recommendations regarding parts of the project that won’t be funded by the state.
Residents will also learn about the latest design of the new high school.
The first forum starts Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Bowdoinham Community School. Other forums start at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17 at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham; Tuesday, Oct. 18 at Bowdoin Central School; and Wednesday, Oct. 19 at Harpswell Community School. Forums will provide the same information in each town.
Unfunded aspects of the project include features the building committee has recommended that the Maine Department of Education will not support financially. These unfunded features would either be paid for by adding to local taxes or through fundraising efforts and donations.
Some of the committee’s recommendations include an additional gymnasium, synthetic turf competition field, dugouts and scoreboards and concessions. Other items include a geothermal heating and cooling system, additional wall and roof insulation and additional structural support for solar panels. An additional eight classrooms have been recommended along with an additional science room, additional seats to the forum, a digital street sign and displays in the building.
“I see this as a tremendous opportunity for our four towns and school system, and as an investment in the education of our students for years to come,” said Superintendent Brad Smith. “We recognize both sides of the coin when considering unfunded features to the new school. On one side is the fact that now is the time to build the school, build it right, and plan for the future. The other side of the coin is that unfunded features require additional taxes. These forums will give us an opportunity to hear from our citizens about both sides of the coin.”
The project is nearing final design, which will then lead to the second straw vote later this fall. If it appears the project has community support, the project will be proposed to the State Board of Education in anticipation of a referendum in late winter or early spring.
“We truly hope for a strong turnout so we can accurately gauge the level of support that exists for these important decisions,” Smith said.
Go to link75.org for more information.
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