TOPSHAM

The public on Wednesday can sound off on several million dollars worth of items to be included in a new Mt. Ararat High School, funding for which will not be covered by the state.

The forum is 6:30-8 p.m. in the Mt. Ararat High School Commons.

There has not been a total cost estimate for the project released by the SAD 75, and it is not yet known how much the state will be paying for.

According to Superintendent of Schools Brad Smith: “The state of Maine will pay for the cost of state-approved items. Additional features are at the cost and discretion of the district.”

These features could be paid for through additional local funding and fundraising opportunities.

Left unfunded by the state are a number of additional classrooms and an additional science room totaling more than $3.3 million.

Costs for the new school’s athletic program that will have to be covered at the local level include a concession building and spectator toilets ($180,000), new bleachers with press box ($100,000) and more than $1.5 million for additional gym space.

Also unfunded are building systems such as geothermal energy ($450,000), a solar hot water system ($40,000), and additional wall and roof insulation (a combined $300,000).

The full list of estimates is available at link75.org.

“We are closing in on a specific scheme, and each meeting brings another refinement in placement of specific classrooms and other areas,” according to the press release issued about the forum. “It is so very rewarding to see visual representations of what has been conversations and ideas until now.”

Building Committee Chairman John Hodge said the forum is a chance for the committee to address the public and see if it is going in the right direction prior to a referendum.

“If we’re not doing what the communities want us to do, tell us now,” he said. “ We do feel pretty good about the direction we’re taking based on prior forums.”

Hodge said it is important to let the public know what additional items the district is looking at, which may or may not be included in the final decision.

“We certainly want feedback about what should and shouldn’t be included and whether the communities, and taxpayers, are willing to support those items and if not, would communities be willing to fund-raise,” he said.

The committee wants to hear from members of the district what it should include and the best way to pay for those items knowing the state won’t pick up the tab for them.

It is important to note that the committee now has some real designs and concepts to look at, Hodge said, so going back to the communities and asking for their input is vital at this stage in the process.

Extra example

• COSTS FOR THE new school’s athletic program that will have to be covered at the local level include a concession building and spectator toilets ($180,000), new bleachers with press box ($100,000) and more than $1.5 million for additional gym space.

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