MSAD51 School Board change proposed grade configurations. Oak Point Associates to move forward with revised concept designs for new primary building.
MSAD51 School Board held a workshop with Oak Point Associates during the February 7 School Board meeting. MSAD51 will move forward with revised concept design development for new primary school. Grade configurations have been adjusted to reduce projected new building costs.
The Board voted to approve initial grade configurations at the December 6, 2021 Board meeting. However, preliminary new construction estimates placed the project at $85M, nearly double the one-campus proposal. The one-campus design was rejected by both the Cumberland Town Council and the North Yarmouth Select Board due to construction impact to town center, lack of expandability for future school growth and failure to support previous commitment to place any new school building in North Yarmouth.
The new primary building will be a grades PK – 2nd school. Grades 4 and 5 will be moved out of the middle school, and Mabel I. Wilson (MIW) will become a grade 3 – 5 building. Board member, Jennifer Steward, commented grades 3 – 5 grouping is considered ideal for curriculum considerations. Tyler McGinley (Chair) added this aligned with a proposal from the original committee.
The new concept will leverage state revolving renovation funds to make upgrades to the Mabel I. Wilson building. MSAD51 qualified for $1.5M grant from the DOE, to be used for window replacement, air handling improvement and security upgrades. At this time, MIW will not be expanded, but the Board stated the building could be expanded at a future date to accommodate population growth. Capacity for MIW is set at 682 students, with the largest anticipated student population at 615 students 2028-30.
The North Yarmouth site for the new primary building is a 77-acre parcel adjacent to the York Ridge subdivision on Route 115. The concept will utilize “houses” and be a 2-level structure. Capacity for the new building is 704 students, with the largest student population anticipated at 661 students. The workshop did not specifically note whether the new building could be expanded to accommodate if student enrollment exceeds projections.
During the board workshop with Oak Point Associates, there were no opposition from any board members for the new proposal. Additionally, there was no official vote to approve the revision. Jason Record stated the board has worked to address residents’ concerns about costs, but did not share details of committee work.
The new construction cost is anticipated to be nearly $70M. The additional MIW grant will offset costs for renovating the older building. The Maine DOE will forgive 50% of the grant. The remaining $750,000 will be provided at 0%, and the District will have 10 years to repay.
The School Board restated they are still eying the June ballot for the new school building bond. Next steps include presenting to the preliminary information to each town at their next regular meeting. Cumberland Town Council meeting is February 14. North Yarmouth Select Board will meet February 15.
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