The Cape Elizabeth schools will apply for a $1.1 million grant from the state’s Revolving Renovation Loan Fund to help with the high school renovation project.
The School Board approved the application at their May 10 meeting. Last year, the schools applied for and received a similar grant to help with the addition to Pond Cove Elementary School.
Interim superintendent Robert Lyman said three difference classifications of grants are available – health, safety and compliance renovations; infrastructure; and learning space upgrades.
Last year, Pond Cove received a $200,000 grant for learning space upgrades, but Lyman said the state is no longer accepting grants for that classification at this time.
This year the high schools will ask for $970,000 for health, safety and compliance renovations and $194,000 for infrastructure. Lyman said three different projects are targeted within the grant application; roof repair, handicap accessibility and the fire protection systems.
Lyman said the town would not receive the total $1.1 million requested. He said Cape is only eligible for 20 percent of that amount, which means a potential $260,000 could be realized from the application. The remaining amount that is not provided in the form of a grant will be offered in the form of an interest-free loan.
School Business Manager Pauline Aportria said the amount of savings the school department would receive if the grant were approved had not been calculated yet, but she estimated it would be similar to the $375,000 in savings realized when the Pond Cove project received their grant.
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