By Ellie Fellers,Special to the Sun Journal

NEW GLOUCESTER – SAD 15 voters will be asked to approve a $10.2 million bond for improvements at all the district’s schools on Nov. 8, which is Election Day. If approved, 40 percent of that money will come from the state.

The district received confirmation from the state Thursday morning that $4.1 million has been earmarked for SAD 15 through the state’s revolving renovation fund.

Superintendent Victoria Burns said inaccurate information was given to her earlier that indicated no funds were available for SAD 15.

At a special meeting Thursday night, school board members signed the bond warrant without dissent.

New Gloucester selectmen also unanimously signed the warrant for the referendum vote after the school board meeting.

Burns said a fax arrived early Thursday morning from Scott Brown of the Department of Education’s School Facilities Service Team. It confirmed that the $4.1 million has been certified for renovations at Gray-New Gloucester High School; Burchard A. Dunn, Russell and Memorial elementary schools; and Gray-New Gloucester Middle School, once voters approve a bond totaling $10.2 million for the whole package.

Interest-free loan

In the state’s revolving renovation program, 55.5 percent of the $4.1 million interest-free loan will be forgiven; the rest of the state loan must be paid back in 10 years, said Terry Towle, director of finance and operations for SAD 15.

The additional, local bond payments run for 20 years, said Towle.

SAD 15’s project approvals were granted last month by Education Commissioner Susan Gendron and Maine’s Bureau of General Services to bond bank officials.

Alan Rich, the board’s chairman, said SAD 15 is the last school department that will receive revolving loan funds until the funds are replenished by users of the program.

SAD 15 will use the funds to upgrade the three elementary schools, and the middle and high schools to meet standards for Americans with Disabilities upgrades.

Projects also include: adding additional classroom space to replace portable classrooms, roof repairs and related structural upgrades, building laboratory classrooms, window and building exterior improvements, and floor renovations. Indoor air quality, interior construction and roof and structural projects also are planned.

Community informational meetings on the bond program will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 18 at Memorial School in New Gloucester and 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 22 at Gray-New Gloucester High School.

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