SAD
hits the road with bond presentations
By Elizabeth Prata
Gray--The SAD 15 Board members presented information
to the Gray Town Council Tuesday night, explaining
their reasons why they would like the citizens to
pass a 10 million dollar bond issue this November.
Armed with Power Point presentations, documentary
material, and a willingness to answer any and all
questions, several of the Board members hit the road
in the first of a series of presentations and forums
to deliver information on how the bond, if passed,
would improve the school buildings.
Facilities Upgrade and Renovations Committee Chair
and School Board member Peter Pinkerton said that
the bond will enable the School District to renovate
the existing five schools to meet current building
and programming needs, for less than the cost of one
new school.
The schools are aging, Gray-New Gloucester's newest
school is the Middle School, at age 16. The oldest
school, aside from unused Pennell Institute at 181
years old, is Russell School's wing, at age 57. "Commercial
buildings in this century were constructed with a
40-year expected life span," Mr. Pinkerton said.
The bond would fund electrical systems and bring the
buildings up to code. Heating and ventilation systems
would also be brought up to modern standards, and
structural issues would be addressed. For example,
Mr. Pinkerton pointed out, the High School foundation
has settled, and the stresses on the masonry exterior
and interior walls have produced cracks. The masonry
cracks at the Middle School entry are due to water
intrusion seeping from the poorly designed flat roof.
Exterior walls as both Memorial and Russell Elementary
Schools are failing.
Mr. Pinkerton stated that it is important for the
bond to pass in November "while the State is
willing and able to participate with us." The
potential state subsidy would pay for health, safety,
and accessibility issues and be $2,219,281 along with
an interest free loan of $1,776,544. Mr. Pinkerton
said that about 40% of the total bond amount would
be subsidized through debt forgiveness and interest
free loans.
The reminder of 5 million dollars would be assessed
to local taxpayers for upgrades related to programming
issues at all five schools, with the High School getting
the lions' share of that, with $4,519,3954 designated
for programming improvements there.
The programming improvements at the High School would
include enlargement of the arts rooms and the performance
stage, upgrades to the gym, redesigning the entry
so Administration can have an eye view to who is entering
the building, better science labs, a cafeteria where
all students can be seated at once, among other items.
Councilor John Welch asked if the School District
has generated a plan to assure proper maintenance
of the buildings in the future. School Board Chair
Dr. Alan Rich said yes. "It's important to note,
though, that the District has met or exceeded State
averages for building maintenance. However, we have
instituted a Capital Reserve that currently has $300,000
in it, we have installed a powerful software called
"SchoolDude" which allows for labor tracking,
scheduling of maintenance items, and creates work
orders for maintenance jobs."
Dr. Rich said that while the bond includes a major
amount from the state and that helps offset local
taxpayer expense, that when all the projects are finished,
there won't be brand new school buildings. "It
is for renovations. The buildings will be up to code
and will look better but they will snot bee brand
new. However, This bond will allow us to maximize
this benefit from the State, with a minimum spent
locally."
The Council thanked the School Board members for presenting
their information and Vice-Chair Upham said it was
a good presentation.
The SAD 15 Central Office has the reports and the
data behind the bond proposal and they are available
to the public. The Office is located at 15 Shaker
Road and the phone number is 657-3335.
