CARIBOU, Maine — RSU 39’s Capital Improvement Project came under fire from resident Bruce Hagelstein during the school board’s May 6, 2015 meeting.
“I think we’re at a point where everyone’s drinking the Kool-aid,” Hagelstein said as he questioned the current state of the project. “Everyone would love a new school, but this is Caribou, Maine.” He wanted to know what other projects PDT (the architects behind the Capital Improvement Project) have done in the past and whether or not the project will raise taxes, “Is the state picking up the whole tab?” He then asked what would happen to Teague Park Elementary, Hilltop Elementary, and the Caribou Middle School if the RSU decides to consolidate, “What happens to the three old buildings? Will they become three white elephants?”
Hagelstein ended his comments after he was interrupted by board member John Sjostedt, who asked how long Hagelstein planned on talking. Hagelstein immediately left following public comment.
Afterward, Assistant Superintendent Lois Brewer entertained the board with a fun video that featured students from Hilltop Elementary who gave their spin on what a new school should have.
Representatives of PDT presented the board with a timeline for the Capital Improvement Project. They let the board know they are in the early stages and have a long way to go and reassured them they’re taking their time since it’s a step-by-step process.
“Your buildings are old and tired,” founding partner of PDT Architects Lyndon Keck said. He pointed out that Teague Park Elementary was built in the 1950s, Hilltop Elementary in the ‘60s and that Caribou Middle School was twice overdue for a new building since it was built in the 1920s.
PDT said they might know by the end of May whether they will choose to build a new school or renovate the three older facilities.
“The state of Maine is encouraging consolidating schools,” Keck said. “It’s less of a burden on taxpayers and has exceptional savings.” Keck said a new building should last for 75 years, “The state of Maine takes its investments very seriously.”
Next on PDT’s timeline is to score potential building sites. Keck recommended a site should be within close proximity to fire, police and rec departments. Once a location is selected PDT will begin work on a floor plan and do cost estimates throughout the process. Keck said PDT and RSU won’t know the tax impact until the project is ready for a referendum which could take months.
After PDT’s presentation, board members thought it wise to begin a campaign to answer questions and concerns the public may have about the Capital Improvement Project, “This should be a transparent process,” Keck agreed.
In other business, superintendent Susan White presented the board with the school budget for 2016, “We’ve had deep cuts this year,” White said. The RSU did manage to lock down fuel prices for next year and were able to receive insurance savings, but with $354,000 less from the state this year, the board is worried about the impact on student education.
“We’re in this predicament not because of fat or wages — the problem is Augusta,” board member Ron Willey said.
“[The budget] is as tight as you can go without cutting any positions,” board member Clifford Rhome said.
The board discussed that salaries are down, an increase on textbooks and the renovations that still need to be maintained on the existing buildings.
The $17,984,702 budget was approved and will move on to a public vote. It represents a $419,648 or 2.3 percent reduction from last year’s RSU 39 spending package.
Wednesday’s meeting ended with updates from the principals of both elementary schools, the middle school and Limestone. The school board will meet again on Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Caribou Learning Center.
