The work would likely begin in the summer of 2018 as the new Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center construction project winds down. Architect Dan Cecil of Harriman Associates told the Sanford City Council on Tuesday that the conversions and additions would have to be phased-in and the vast project would take two years to finish.
Once the project is complete, two existing small elementary schools— Lafayette and Willard — will close. Emerson, another of the so-called small schools, closed a couple of years ago.
The project was included — along with the $100 million Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center on the state’s construction list. Sanford had scored high on the state’s list for two elementary schools. However, local school authorities knew that two new schools were unlikely to be built, and looked at ways to repurpose what they had.
The next step in the lengthy process is for the School Department to meet with the Department of Education on the proposed budget and scope of work for the project.
Sanford City Council must approve the language for the June ballot by April 18; the School Department seeks approval from the State Board of Education construction subcommittee on April 28, and locally, voters will take part in a straw poll on May 3. The state education board votes on the proposal May 10.
Sanford voters cast ballots on the project June 13.
If approved, the project goes out to bid in the spring of 2018.
When complete, Sanford will have three prekindergarten through grade four schools — Margaret Chase Smith, Carl J, Lamb and the new school at the former junior high school, each with the capacity for 500 students. The middle school — at the current Sanford High School, will house students in grades five through eight.
Cecil told the City Council the scenario will mean equity in programs across Sanford’s three elementary schools — except that the autism program will be solely at the new central elementary school at the old junior high school.
Margaret Chase Smith School will more than double in size, and will sport a two-story addition.
Conversions of the existing junior high to an elementary school and the existing high school to a middle school aren’t as dramatic.
Councilors had few questions.
“Are we still on track with no local cost?” relying fully on state funding, asked Mayor Tom Cote.
“Yes,” said Cecil.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].
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