By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

As students await to see their first quarter grades as the semester closes, SAD 61 recently received a report card regarding its facilities.

During the summer months, Stephen Blatt Architects team members conducted site visits to assess the physical condition of SAD 61 facilities. Interviews were also held with building principals and district administrators to get their thoughts regarding existing strengths and where facilities were falling short.

Each facility was graded out in regards to code compliance, building operations, condition of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and whether existing space meets the need of educational programming.

Doug Breer of Stephen Blatt Architects gave a report to the SAD 61 School Board last month, and pointed out the study’s purpose:

• Evaluation of the District’s existing facilities – the “bricks & mortar.”

• Analyze the adequacy of the existing facilities to meet current and future needs – the ability to deliver programming.

• Identify building deficiencies and inadequacies.

• Provide a guide to the District for future facility modifications required to address any identified deficiencies and inadequacies.

Using a powerpoint, Breer gave brief snapshots of each school. Findings included:

Songo Locks School

• More than adequate size — could accommodate future enrollment increase

• Crowded cafetorium

• Additional conference room and offices needed

• Main air handler needs replacement

• Interior finishes showing age

• Minor site issues include drainage, pavement and playground

Recommendation: Targeted, limited renovations needed to address deficiencies.

Stevens Brook Elementary

• District-wide K-5 autism program hampered by current size and configuration of spaces

• Shortage of special education classroom space

• Lack of individual toilet rooms

• Inadequate storage space

• Principal’s office and administration area not well configured

• Mechanical equipment replacement needed; AC for summer programs

• Site issues include pavement and condition of playground equipment

Recommendation: Urgent space needs could be addressed by a four to six classroom addition; renovation/reconfiguration of existing space is needed to address other deficiencies.

Crooked River Elementary

• No major facility deficiencies (facility recently underwent comprehensive renovations and additions)

• A few minor deficiencies could be addressed by District’s maintenance personnel or outside vendors

Lake Region Middle School

• Undersized cafeteria and kitchen

• Security issues including lack of a secure vestibule and poor visibility/surveillance of the building entry by the main office

• Gang bathrooms contribute to behavioral issues; too few toilets on second floor

• Inadequate space for Physical Education equipment storage

• Inadequate space for nurse’s clinic

• Too few phones; intra-school communication is problematic

• Gym/cafeteria HVAC units and original electrical subpanels need replacement

• Site issues include field drainage, ADA access to fields, shortage of one field

Recommendation: Small addition to address cafeteria, kitchen and PE storage space needs; renovation/reconfiguration of existing space needed to address other deficiencies.

Lake Region High School & Vocational Center

High School

• Entire freshman class located in old modular wing

• Alternative Ed and Special Ed Offices located in a modular building

• Science labs and art rooms outdated

• Shortage of three to five classrooms including health, music, electives

• Gang bathrooms are a constant source of behavior and discipline issues

• Lack of conference room accessible directly from front office

• Locker rooms in poor condition; lack of PE equipment storage

• Mechanical, electrical and ADA upgrades not addressed in 2011-2012 renovations

• Site issues including play field drainage, shortage of one field, vehicle/pedestrian conflicts at back of building.

Recommendation: Urgent space needs could be addressed by an 18 to 20 classroom addition (thus eliminating the need for portable units which have “exceeded their life span”); renovation/reconfiguration of existing space also needed to address other deficiencies.

Vocational Center

• Undersized and/or poorly configured teaching space for Culinary Arts, Health Occupations Academy, Early Childhood Program, Computer Technologies, Auto Detailing

• Lack of appropriate space for practice of real-world law enforcement activities

Recommendation: Relocate Auto Detailing to Educational Services Building; renovate existing space to better accommodate program delivery

Educational Services Building

• The small engines lab currently occupies an automotive bay needed by the automotive program

• Issues with snow and ice sliding off the metal roof

Recommendation: A small addition on the north side of the building could better accommodate the Auto Detailing program and the small engines lab.

What happens next?

Presently, SAD 61 applied for renovation/construction project for Lake Region High School and Vocational Center to the Maine’s Department of Education for considering under its building program.

Breer noted it could “take years” before SAD 61 makes the cut and receives state funding for its project, citing how it took 10 years for Edward Little HS of Auburn to go from application to new facility.

“It’s a long haul,” he said. “Districts don’t want to wait that long.”

 Breer felt SAD 61 could be in decent position for funding, at some point, due to the age of the portables and lack of fire protection sprinklers.

Superintendent of Schools Al Smith asked Breer which project falls under “most urgent” and what work could possibly be done in-house?

Breer felt the high school and Stevens Brook are priorities, while the middle school is third on the list.

When it was suggested a platform, like the one at Crooked River, could be installed at LRMS, School Board Director Lee Martel clarified the platform “is not a stage.” Since the middle school does produce theatrical performances and choral shows, Martel feels it would be nice to have a stage with a “wing” where performers could stand when not on stage.

“A stage wing would be very advantageous,” she said.

Director Phil Shane wondered what the building per square foot cost is now and what it might look down the road if SAD 61 puts off construction.

Breer said smaller additions carry a higher per square foot cost, which at the moment is a minimum of $400 to $450. Pricing has dipped somewhat, however, due to shortages of workers, the cost of labor remains high.

Shane pointed to growth both in the Lake Region and in surrounding communities that will push the need for additional space at SAD 61 facilities.

“The area is growing, and it’s going to push out this way,” Shane said.

“We don’t want to build an addition that is full on Day 1,” Breer said. “We would certainly take a look at that (growth and projected growth).”

Superintendent Smith noted that if an addition is built at SBES, the district would likely seek eight classrooms, not the four mentioned in the architect’s report.

Smith asked Breer whether the district should tackle building projects “fairly soon?”

“It’s up to you,” Breer said.

Smith noted that since SAD 61 is a low receiver of state educational funding because of the existing formula (based highly on property value), its ability to land assistance with building projects — “We’re not a community that typically rates well with the state,” he said. “The SBES project would likely be on our dime” — is low, meaning local taxpayers would likely shoulder the burden.

In other school board notes:

More communication — One issue that surfaced when SAD 61 initially decided to drop funding for the School Resource Officer position was a disconnect between the Cumberland County Sheriff’s deputy serving as the SRO and expectations from the District.

Citizens approved reinstating money for the SRO position at the district budget meeting, which was later passed.

Since then, Superintendent Smith had discussions with the Sheriff’s Department regarding the SRO’s role at the high school.

At the October Personnel Committee meeting, Smith told school board directors that there is more oversight being provided for this school year and “more communication all around.”

Smith said SAD 61 has an “evaluation tool” that will be shared with the Sheriff’s Office “to hopefully give input to the SRO’s formal evaluation.”

Kids needed — A few spots remain open for children to take part in the Vocational Center’s Early Childhood program. Three-year-olds are needed. Parents should contact LRVC for more information.

When it snows…and in-person instruction is shut down due to the storm, at the moment, SAD 61 will likely have the day off.

Superintendent Smith said trying to conduct a remote day can be challenging at the elementary level. At this point, he would rather address snow days at the end of the school year — adding those missed days and pushing back the final day of school.

Getting involved — Athletic Director Paul True hopes it is a trend that continues. For the past 20 years, athletes participating in fall high school sports ranged from 185 to 205-ish. This fall, there were 213 participants — despite an extremely low turnout for field hockey, which Coach Lucy Fowler had 16 total players, not enough to field a junior varsity squad.

The middle school also produced a “good number” with 149 athletes participating on five sports teams.

True pointed out that HS teams took part in various fundraisers, including Coaches vs Cancer, Military Appreciation and Autism Awareness. The end result was $1300 raised.

Personnel — Mary Catherine Short was approved as a Teacher at Crooked River Elementary School replacing Pauline Leadbetter who resigned. There were three applicants, two were interviewed.

Short earned a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Antioch University New England and a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Southern Maine.

Linda Grinnell, Food Service Staff at Stevens Brook Elementary School, is retiring effective Nov. 13, 2024.

Clarissa D’Alvia, Educational Technician at Songo Locks Elementary School, has resigned effective Oct. 11, 2024.

Donations — Directors accepted these donations: from Hannaford to Songo Locks Elementary School in the amount of $2,000 (gift cards) for the Songo Locks food pantry; donation from the Point Sebago Golf League to Songo Locks Elementary School of $475 cash, a tote full of snacks for each classroom and school supplies for teachers; donation from Hancock Lumber to Songo Locks Elementary School of tree stumps for the outdoor classroom.