As voters head to the polls in less than a month to consider major renovations to Wells High School, the towns that comprise Regional School Unit 21 are also preparing to send a similar proposal to voters.
In Wells and Ogunquit, voters will be asked to approve a $26.85 million bond to renovate Wells High School. The proposal was created by the school committee last year, after a field of four options failed to address the need for major changes while trying to keep costs in line.
After considering the four options last June, school committee member Marc Saulnier sought a new proposal about a week before voting on which option to pursue, which he said at the time, was a compromise between renovation and building new. “Option E” would renovate the current gymnasium and auditorium at Wells High School and build new classrooms, a cafeteria and administrative offices in an addition on the current building.
On Nov. 5, voters will decide whether or not the renovations will go forward.
Although it has a large price tag, the renovations are needed.
The high school has been put on notice by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges that it needs renovations ”“ or a new school ”“ to maintain its accreditation. If Wells High School were to lose its accreditation, it would impact the college and university choices for graduates, according to WHS Principal Jim Daly. The school was also built, like many Maine high schools, in the 1970s, long before the advent of the personal computer and the need for Internet access in the classroom.
Other issues at the school included non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; overcrowded classrooms; outdated equipment in the science lab; an insufficient performing arts center; small lockers; lack of large spaces where students can collaborate on group projects; unreliable Internet service and other technological capacity problems; and air quality and heating system issues.
The plan will address all of these issues and also reflects a compromise.
The initial choices included: a $5 million, bare-bones approach to simply keep the school running, which would have replaced some mechanical and electrical system and corrected code issues; the second option was to renovate and expand the current building for $22.5 million; third would have built a new school on the current property for $29.5 million; and fourth was to build a new high school at a new site for $32.2 million.
Saulnier’s proposal integrated the desire to build new classroom space, but also utilize what it already in place, at a lower cost to taxpayers.
We’re pleased that Wells moved forward with this plan, and we urge a yes vote on the renovations.
Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport ”“ the towns that make up RSU 21 ”“ are in a different stage and situation than Wells, but work is also needed at the district’s schools. The scope of that work, however, it yet to be decided.
At a recent meeting, the school board there presented its plan to renovate Kennebunk High School, Kennebunkport Consolidated School and the Mildred L. Day Elementary School in Arundel at a cost of about $75 million. That’s a lot of money. And it’s clear the bulk of it would go toward the high school, as that school needs $53 million worth of upgrades, according to the school board.
Moving forward, RSU 21 needs to carefully consider each and every part of its proposal, particularly for the high school. It will likely be difficult to get voters to approve such a large spending measure, and although it’s been discussed to send the proposal to voters in January, the low voter turnout that would result doesn’t necessarily translate to more support.
The goal for the board and renovation supporters should be to show voters why the work is needed, rather than just say it is. Also, publicly discussing the concessions they have already made, or could make, to lower the price tag should help voter sentiment.
The fact is that schools need to change with the times, and for towns like Wells and Kennebunk ”“ which don’t receive a high percentage of state education aid ”“ taxpayers will end up shouldering the cost. The question for these communities isn’t if renovations need to happen, the question is what is the best plan for the schools and the best deal for taxpayers.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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