LIVERMORE FALLS – If voters approve two questions pertaining to $1.1 million in construction projects at the high school on Nov. 8, they would not raise the tax rate, SAD 36 Superintendent Terry Despres said Tuesday during a public forum.
“We at SAD 36 face a series of projects regardless of whether we like it or not to bring our district into code compliance” as well as major facility upgrades, Despres said.
The district is really trying to look at options for future needs and trying to keep the buildings in code, he said.
“We put substantial money into buildings to address code and we’re not done,” Despres said.
The goal is to use revolving renovation funds while they’re available to upgrade the high school, he said.
If the district doesn’t take advantage of the funding, Despres said, another system would take it.
The state would pay 68 percent of the projects plus the interest on a 10-year bond, which would equal the state spending 91 cents on every dollar spent and the district spending 9 cents on a dollar, Despres said.
SAD 36 directors seek authorization Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the polls in both Livermore and Livermore Falls to pursue state funding for two projects at the high school. Directors are also asking voters to approve the concept of a performing arts center.
One question deals with Priority 1 category renovations for structural, roof and sidewall replacement at the high school.
A Priority 1 category pertains to safety, structural and code violations, Despres said, and could range from asbestos removal to handicap accessibility.
The anticipated cost of the roof and sidewall project at the high school is $722,500, which includes major internal classroom renovations. The school’s outside walls would go from an R2 insulation rating to an R19 insulation rating in the project.
It cost $36,000 last year to heat the high school and about $33,000 total to heat the other three buildings in the district, Despres said.
The project would save $15,000 to $20,000 a year in fuel costs, board Chairman Ashley O’Brien said.
The roof project has been put off for five years and needs to be done, Despres said. The cost of just the roof is $219,000.
The district’s share of the project is estimated at $228,238 paid in 10 yearly bond payments of $22,823.78.
The second construction project would address space constraints, security and code issues.
It would add two small additions onto the high school with one creating a library media center on the first floor using a 1,250-foot addition and space that is currently the existing principal/guidance/nurses offices.
The existing library on the second floor of the school would be divided to create two classrooms to handle an influx of students who are now moving through the school system.
The second 1,250-square-foot addition would be added to the back of the building facing the football field, and use some of the hall space adjacent to the gymnasium to make a front office complex. The main entrance to the building would be changed to that area. That project would include putting in new public bathrooms to meet code and renovating the locker rooms.
Both additions would allow the sections to be secured during events without opening the academic wing.
The renovations are estimated to cost $387,500. Taxpayers would be responsible for paying $122,412 in 10 yearly payments of $12,241.
The two projects total about $36,000 a year in payments. The interest on the debt payment for the new elementary school is expected to be reduced to $52,000 to $53,000 by next November. That would be when the new bond payment would be due, so the district would still be paying less than it currently is even with the new projects, Despres said.
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