Why do we need a new school?

With the school construction referendum vote just a week away on Jan. 13th, I still occasionally get asked the question, “Why do we need a new school?” It’s an important question that needs an answer that we all can understand and support.

Despite being very well maintained, our current high school and technical center is almost 50 years old and in need of significant updating and repairs. Recently we had to replace part of the roof and we are currently addressing on-going heating and ventilation issues. Years ago we outgrew the facility and added 12 portable units containing 24 classrooms to house our students at an annual cost to lease of $100,000 per year. You may be surprised to know that at times over 300 students are outside the main building in these portable units. This poses a huge security risk for our students as we need to keep doors open around the building to allow outside access to the portables. There are also no bathrooms or water fountains in the portables.

Our Regional Technical Center which serves over 450 students from Sanford and six surrounding communities is crowded and in need of updating to meet industry standards. There is no room at the current facility to add new programs seriously limiting the number of students who can participate. With an increasing demand in Southern Maine for a skilled labor force, we need to provide modern training labs and facilities to meet that demand. In addition to our current programs, the plans for the new building also include new classrooms and labs for culinary arts and baking, auto collision repair, cosmetology, business and marketing, and criminal justice.

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC, placed Sanford High School on probation status several years ago, citing numerous deficiencies with the building and its ability to support 21st century learning curriculum. School accreditation from NEASC is an important factor for students seeking admission to the top colleges and universities in the country. The new school building will address these deficiencies while also providing our students with a state of the art facility that will help ensure our students are career and college ready for the 21st century.

Our athletic facilities and fields are in need of extensive renovations and updates. Cobb Stadium requires significant upgrades to both the field and stadium seating. We have not been able to hold a home track meet there for years due to the downward slope on the track. Significant renovation is required to bring it back to grade. Our other athletic facilities are scattered across the city requiring our students to drive to different fields for practices and games, posing a supervision challenge for our athletic director and trainers.

Many of these deficiencies and needs were identified and confirmed by the state of Maine Department of Education when the Sanford School Committee applied for construction funding for a new school in 2008. Our community was placed at the top of the state priority list for a new high school and technical center. The state has committed funding of approximately $92 million toward the construction of the new facility. This is Sanford’s chance to provide our community with a modern high school and technical center with the state of Maine covering the majority of construction expenses.

Next Tuesday, Jan. 13, our citizens will be asked to cast their vote for this significant opportunity for our city, our students and our future. I ask that you encourage your neighbors to get out and vote and to support this school project. As a citizen of Sanford, I am definitely voting “YES” on Jan. 13. I hope you will also. Please contact me at dtheo@sanford.org or 324-2810 if you have any questions about this exciting high school and technical center construction project.

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