3 min read

TOPSHAM

Planning for a new or renovated high school in School Administrative District 75 is still in early stages, but its Building Committee is now in full swing looking to form several subcommittees and for community members to serve on those subcommittees.

Long on the precipice of state funding to address deficiencies at Mt. Ararat High School — built with an openroom concept — SAD 75 officials learned in April 2014 that it got the OK from the state Department of Education to go forward with its high school construction project. The district is in the early stages still of the state’s 21- step capital construction process. Next steps include analysis of a new versus renovated school, site location and the development of education specifications which guides the school design.

The subcommittees will meet at least monthly for the next 18-24 months. Each will have at least one member of the Building Committee leading it. Subcommittees will be responsible for meeting as a group and reporting out to the Building Committee at selected intervals and milestones. They are as follows:

Building Systems: This committee will develop a recommendation of goals for the new or renovated school’s structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, control systems, and security systems along with the sub-systems, equipment and components such as heating and cooling.

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Communications: This committee will work to “get the word out.” Members will provide the four communities of SAD 75 with information pertaining to the progress, process, upcoming events and meetings for the new or renovated school building. The committee will be instrumental in providing an open line of communication about the project and gaining momentum from the public as the project moves towards referendum and construction.

Physical Education/Athletics: This committee will work with athletic teams, boosters, and other members of the SAD 75 community, to develop proposed goals for the new or renovated school pertaining, but not limited to, the built athletic facilities such as a gym, locker rooms, trainer, fields, parking and support facilities.

Student Advisory: This committee will be an avenue for SAD 75 students in grades 6-12 to participate in the high school construction process. This group will provide the “student voice” to the Building Committee and for the four communities.

Sustainability: This committee will propose goals for the new or renovated high school mainly pertaining to high-performance components such as the integration of biomass, geothermal, solar, daylighting, water efficiency, exterior envelope, insulation, as well as “green” materials and fixtures. Members will also establish goals for how the school could utilize sustainable elements as teaching tools for students.

Technology/Learning Commons: Members of this committee will develop goals for the new or renovated school pertaining to the overall learning and teaching technology within the school and to specific spaces such as the Learning Commons, cafeteria or food court, classrooms and exploratory labs.

Interested parties should send a letter either via email ([email protected]), the input box on the district website — constuction. link75.org — or mail to the Superintendent’s Office, Attn.: Mt. Ararat HS Building Project, 50 Republic Ave., Topsham, Maine 04086.

These letters of interest must be submitted by July 10. Individuals should indicate which of the subcommittees they are interested in serving on; why they are interested in serving; list experience, skills of interests that will help the subcommittee; indicate if they are prepared for the time commitment, and list their name and contact information.



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