School
Renovations What will voters approve?
By Elizabeth Prata
Gray--The Renovations Update Committee, a Sub-committee
of the SAD 15 Facilities Committee, has a growing
population. It started with Chair Peter Pinkerton,
a sprinkling of Board members and citizens, easily
fitting around the small elementary school library
table. Last Monday night, there were 13 in attendance
and the participants overflowed from the table to
double seating nearby.
With Administration well represented, totaling six,
there were also three Board members, three citizens,
and a teacher. They had gathered to do the work of
deciding which of the hundreds of fixer-up issues
at each of the five elementary schools get prioritized
and placed as work orders onto a bond. The SAD is
planning to present a bond to the voters in November.
SAD 15 Board of Directors have engaged PDT Architects
to help them determine how best to proceed with formulating
a bond. The schools are in major need of renovations,
with two of the elementary schools having failing
wings built over 57 years ago.
The Committee discussed PDT's recommendations that
the old wings at both Russell and memorial Elementary
schools be demolished. Lyndon Keck of PDT said that
fixing a nearly 60 year-old wood frame building (Memorial)
is not cost effective. Board Chair Alan Rich agreed,
saying that "I am under the impression that it
would be like putting a bowtie on a pig to renovate
that section."
Mr. Keck answered with a question, "Do you want
a 50-year-old wood frame building as the foundation
of your investment?"
Teacher Deb LeDoux and Gray resident Dan Maguire both
said that the Committee should review all costs related
to demolishing and building new wings versus renovating
the existing old wings, with Ms. LeDoux saying that
"We need to do our homework to demonstrate to
the public good faith that we have done our homework."
The group went through 31 pages of tables that PDT
had generated outlining each and every case in the
five schools that do not meet code, are a safety issue,
or do not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act
requirements (ADA).
The Middle School's issues were particularly troublesome
to the committee. The flat roof over the entry way
is causing and has caused extensive damage. The group
grappled with ways that it could be fixed and noted
the work orders that address it. Another problem is
that the building is built into the back of Libby
Hill and the grade leads into the school. Drainage
is a problem, with water coming up from the floors
in some cases. The various water-related issues at
the Middle School, Manning Morrill of PDT said, "Are
like a perfect storm back there."
PDT was instructed to get back to the committee with
costs related to demolishing and rebuilding versus
renovating each wing at Russell and Memorial School.
Any new construction would not be covered under a
successful bond, which is designed only for renovations
to existing structures.
The Committee will make further recommendations at
its next meeting.
