The proposed new K-3 unified school project in Scarborough, aimed at addressing overcrowding issues and modernizing the town’s schools, has ignited a debate within the community. The goals of the project are to consolidate the three primary schools and all third-graders in the town into one building, move sixth-grade into Wentworth School and to renovate Scarborough Middle School. On one side, there are enthusiastic proponents who see it as a vital step forward, while on the other side there are property owners and families who say they are negatively impacted by the site selection and a group known as SMARTaxes, who has raised concerns about the project’s cost, the consolidation of schools, and the potential impact on taxpayers.

Proponents of the new school present it as a cost-effective solution that aligns with the town’s commitment to educational excellence while also bringing broader community and economic benefits.

Shannon Lindstrom, chair of the Scarborough School Board, said proponents believe that a new school would provide modern spaces that cater to the educational needs of today’s students. She said the new school is expected to unite all students on one campus, fostering a collaborative community among educators, students, and families. In addition,  Lindstrom said ,the project promises permanent classrooms for middle school teachers, offering improved teaching conditions and enhanced safety for sixth-grade students.

What is needed is “a modern space to support educational programming needs of today’s students, with confidence that we can absorb future growth based on the enrollment study for years to come.” Town Council Chair Jon Anderson said. Facilities, he said, will have state-of-the-art safety features to keep the students safe in the event of an emergency.

Opponents of a new school include Susan Hamill representing SMARTaxes. “We believe we can do better,” she said. “The proposed school is expensive, at $160 million it will be the most expensive public school built in Maine. And it is designed for 1,130 students in kindergarten through grade three, making it one of the largest elementary schools in the state.” Hamill pointed out that it closes three neighborhood schools which have been part of the fabric of Scarborough since its founding. “The decision to replace neighborhood schools with one consolidated school was made with no meaningful public input or outreach. We believe there are other creative, and less expensive solutions,” Hamill said.

At an Oct. 10 meeting hosted by the town/school department regarding Sawyer Road and the proposed school project, Meghan Condry, Track View Road resident said, “It is unfortunate that the first and only meeting on this topic was held in the 11th hour, after the land option agreement requiring this access has already been signed, and after early voting has already started. This whole process has been alarmingly undemocratic.” Condry is one of the homeowners on Track View Terrace and has concerns over loss of the private, quiet road if a new school is approved and access would go through her neighborhood.

The town revealed a second possible access point through the newer development Preservation Way, which is off Sawyer Road and involves a possible connection at Maple Avenue and Route 114. “Once again, I don’t think the town leaders are truly listening to the concerns of residents,” Condry said. “We are saying that such a highly traveled access road is inappropriate for any residential street, and I cannot support either of the proposed easterly access road options since both permanently alter whole neighborhoods.”

The issue of overcrowding in Scarborough’s schools is not new. School Superintendent Geoff Bruno, a proponent of the project, points out that student enrollment has exceeded the capacity of the three K-2 schools and the middle school for over two decades. Thirty percent of enrolled students are currently learning in portable classrooms, which were initially meant as a temporary solution but have become a long-term necessity.

Proponents of the project say The Downs is the ideal location for the new school. Of the 30 portables, 18 are at the K-2 schools, and 12 at the middle school. The entire sixth-grade has been learning in portables for almost two decades. The construction of a new unified K-3 campus is set to create a collaborative educational community, bringing together students, staff, and families, proponents say. They say this merger of three schools onto one campus enhances connectedness, maximizes resources, and delivers differentiated support for all learners.

Lindstrom said The Downs was selected as the site for a new school in Scarborough after a thorough evaluation of 46 potential locations. The decision was based on 11 site selection criteria, including safety, environment, and capacity for future expansion, among others. Community criteria, such as proximity to the municipal campus and a family-friendly approach, were also considered. Four main priorities, including location, safety, traffic, and environment, guided the selection process. Proponents say The Downs met all criteria and aligned with the community’s priorities.

SMARTaxes has voiced concerns regarding the deal with The Downs, including the $16 million cost for land and off-site improvements, zoning changes, tax incentives, and the impact on the existing neighborhood. The group questions whether a more cost-effective solution is available to accommodate additional students in grades K-3. Steve Hanly of SMARTaxes said “The School Board says that the huge new 1,130-student school will be designed to provide a ‘small school feel’. But we think the best way to achieve a “small school feel” is by actually having small schools.”

“I want voters across Scarborough to know that the referendum question is not just a $160 million bond for a new school, it is a condoning of continued development and expansion into existing neighborhoods against their will. I ask that voters sincerely consider what it would be like to find out second-hand that your property is being converted to a throughway access into The Downs and how that would impact your daily life and wellbeing,” Condry said.

“The bottom line is that we need to create space for 200 more kids in K through 3 to meet our growth needs,” Hamill said. “We believe there has to be a more affordable and practical way to do that than by abandoning the three neighborhood schools and building a massive new school that can accommodate 1,130 kids. There needs to be a better solution that the entire community can get behind.”

In contrast, Anderson said, “Our facilities are aging, and the enrollment study is projecting more students than our current facilities and portables can handle for the K-2. Our sixth-grade students are all in portables and the size of the Middle School is too small to host three grade levels. Our facilities need to be modernized, but renovations and expansions are not possible. The acreage is too small to accommodate expansions and would cost $230 million more in the next 30 years, almost double of what the current solution is proposing. The consolidated K-3 and moving sixth-grade to Wentworth is a strategic, cost-effective solution that will help continue our tradition of educational excellence at Scarborough schools. Good schools help our economy, help our community, and also help to keep our home values high and without a solution we are at risk.”

“There is no viable long-term plan b,” Superintendent Geoff Bruno said. “If this long-term solution is voted down, the district will need to continue finding short-term, temporary solutions to handle our growing enrollment. This will put considerable unnecessary strain on staff, students, and families, and in the long run, cost taxpayers additional resources as we continue to function with severely outdated and undersized school facilities.”

Residents can vote in person on Nov. 7. Absentee ballots are available at the Town Clerk’s Office.

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