The first question asks voters to approve a $49.7 million elementary school, which would be 100 percent funded by the state. The state will also pay for new athletic fields.
The second question asks if voters want to spend $2.1 million to give the school a regulation-size gym, air conditioning for summer programs and a second turf field. This $2.1 million project would be funded by Lewiston taxpayers. For a home valued at $150,000, the annual cost would be about $9 a year.
Is the school really going to be paid for by the state?
Yes. The only local cost would be the $2.1 million to fund the projects in the second question, if approved. The ballot states that the city will take out the bonds, but “the bonds in the amount of $49.7 (million) are eligible for state subsidy, and under present state law the annual debt service costs on these bonds will be offset by increases in state subsidy.”
Why build a new school?
The new school would merge Martel and Longley elementary schools and take 125 students from other schools to relieve crowding throughout the city.
With Lewiston’s student population growing, crowding is a concern, as every elementary school is full, according to Superintendent Bill Webster. He has said if the new school is not approved, it would mean class sizes of 30 students. Both the Longley and Martel buildings are small and deficient. Martel has no gym, art or music rooms and is so crowded that meetings are held in oversized closet-size spaces.
Where would the new school be built?
On the football field next to Lewiston High School campus.
Isn’t there a problem with building the school on the football field?
Recently, the Lewiston School Committee learned that years ago, the football field was built with a $150,000 federal grant for recreation. New land for recreation will have to be found and approved by the federal government. City officials are planning to find land and get federal approval before construction.
What happens if voters reject the school?
A second vote would have to be held by Oct. 13. If rejected, Lewiston taxpayers would have to pay for more class space to ease crowding. Lewiston would lose the opportunity to have a new school paid for by the state. The $49.7 million allotted for the school would go to another city or town.
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- Students walk past a portable classroom at Martel Elementary School. Lewiston voters will vote June 14 on Lewiston’s proposed new 880-student elementary school that would combine Martel and Longley schools.
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- Students leave Longley Elementary School on a spring day. Voters will decide today on a new school to be paid for by the state which would combine Martel and Longley.
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- School lets out at Martel Elementary School in Lewiston Thursday afternoon, March 10, 2016
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- A sketch of what the new Lewiston elementary school would look like, if approved by voters on June 14. The $49.7 million school would be built on the Lewiston High School campus and paid for by the state. In a second ballot question, voters will be asked if they want to spend $2.1 million for a regulation-size gym, air conditioning and a field hockey/baseball field with artificial turf.
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- A sketch of what the new Lewiston elementary school would look like, if approved by voters on June 14. The $49.7 million school would be built on the Lewiston High School campus and paid for by the state. In a second ballot question, voters will be asked if they want to spend $2.1 million for a regulation-size gym, air conditioning and a field hockey/baseball field with artificial turf.
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