On Nov. 8, the most important decision you will make is whether you support our kids, with your vote on the Westbrook school expansion project. This project has been in the works for the last three years to address the overcrowding of our elementary schools and middle school. In the last several years, we have had to plant five portable classrooms at our three elementary schools. Our growth has been great, we love seeing our town grow and kids coming to Westbrook to get the “Best Education for all – For life.” This is not what we were experiencing as much as five years ago.

Five years ago, our enrollment was declining, we had reached a low of about 2,350 kids. With decreasing enrollment, and a $3,000,000 budget deficit, we needed to make some very tough decisions. One of those decisions was to close Prides Corner Elementary School. With a school in need of major renovations in the $4,500,000-plus range, and decreasing enrollment throughout the district, it was a financial decision that was needed to be made. Let me repeat that – it was a financial decision that needed to be made.

Many individuals in the Prides Corner area were devastated with this decision. They had an emotional tie to the school and did not want it closed. The decision to close a neighborhood school from an emotional point of view would not have been a good reason. But from a financial point of view, it was absolutely the right decision. In hindsight, we probably should have been investing in the property many years prior to its closing, given its multiple physical deficiencies, safety concerns and overcrowding, which resulted in the use of several portable classrooms. But again, with the information we had back then, the decision was a financially correct decision to make. (We probably wish we had the proverbial crystal all back then to see where we stand today. Then our decision would have been different.)

People around the city have expressed their concerns about this bond issue and have suggested potential options that should be considered. One suggestion was to utilize the Disability RMS building downtown. Not even an option. First of all, we have no green space for playgrounds. The Department of Education would have a field day with the city if we even considered this space as an option. Too many problems to overcome for the state to even consider this option as a school facility. We jeopardize our state funding if state laws are not abided by for educational purposes. It would be a cost increase to taxpayers that would be unacceptable to everyone.

Another suggestion was to convert the Westbrook Community Center back into a school. An interesting thought, but not viable for several reasons. The state seven years ago rejected the revitalization of the existing building structure. Too many problems from air quality, to internal class design, to mechanical and engineering deficiencies. To qualify for state assistance, the Department of Education denied the renovation concept and said we needed to build new. Continued problems we would still face today and the cost would be projected in the $25,000,000 to $27,000,000 range. It’s a project that is equal in cost to the proposed project, but you create a whole new set of problems with renovating the existing structure.

This community as a whole loves the community center concept. What would we do to all of the services and programs that we currently offer at the community center? What would the food pantry do? What would the historical society do? What would the Southern Maine Area on Aging do? What would Woodford Services do? Let’s not destroy what has been created.

A third suggestion was to build a massive facility to house all K-4 students, approximately 1,100 students. Our architects have estimated the cost to build a facility this big would cost approximately $40,000,000 to $50,000,000. Major question – where would we build it. The neighborhood school concept would be destroyed. Also, having a building that big would have a major impact on our young students. Having that many kids in one building will over stimulate kids and would be a distraction to their learning, something we would come to regret.

If we utilized one of the first two suggestions, we would still have a severe problem at Saccarappa. For years, we have not been able to offer a fair and equitable educational opportunity for the students at that school. Saccarappa has no cafeteria, no gym, inadequate library facility, not enough specialized classroom solace and insufficient play space – issues that need to be addressed. So even if we had other options, a major investment would still have needed to be made at Saccarrapa.

Please support the Westbrook school expansion project. Remember, kids matter. Support our kids.

James Violette

Chairman

Westbrook School Committee