OXFORD – About $50 million in new construction and $4 million in infrastructure changes have been completed in the Oxford Hills School District since 1995.

A new high school and two new elementary schools in Paris and Hebron are among the major improvements in SAD 17.

“It boggles your mind a little bit,” said Superintendent Mark Eastman as he and Business Manager Cathy Fanjoy reviewed the district’s capital improvement program with SAD 17 directors last week.

Calling them “pretty dramatic changes,” Eastman said the work was accomplished through a planned, formal and deliberate process involving a five-year, districtwide capital improvement plan, which was adopted by directors in 1998 and is updated annually by the Operations Committee. Steps are also taken to ensure that not too many projects are undertaken at one time.

Eastman said funding sources include $584,000 in federal grants; $527,395 in state funds; $690,607 in no interest loans; $100,000 in federal energy savings money; and $1.6 million that was paid through energy savings. That savings came, for example, through the districtwide energy retrofit project, which had anywhere from three to 15 energy savings projects going on at the same time throughout the schools. Those projects have saved the district about 33 percent in electricity consumption costs already, Fanjoy said. The money can then be put back into the schools.

About 90 percent of the district’s $47.2 million in new school construction and reconstruction was primarily funded by the state of Maine.

Projects pending for fiscal 2009, which begins July 1, include handicap accessibility improvements, recarpeting areas, parking lot renovations and security upgrades at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris.

Almost all the school buildings are looking at handicap accessibility compliance upgrades. The Oxford Hills Middle School in Paris is looking at security improvements; Hebron, an expansion of playing fields; Otisfield Community School, a roof repair on a portable unit; Oxford Elementary, carpet replacement and sidewalk work. Paris Elementary School has a garage project planned, and at the Rowe Elementary School new carpeting is scheduled.

Roof replacement at the Rowe Elementary School in Norway, estimated to cost $225,000, is on the list for fiscal 2011.

At the Agnes Gray Elementary in West Paris, which has had new siding and a roof, officials hope to replace the windows in 2009.

“Replacement of the building is not currently on our renovation,” Eastman said, “but there’s always the possibility.”

The former Fox Elementary School in Paris needs about $1.1 million for full reuse, but directors and town of Paris must OK such a plan.

“It’s a fairly sound building, now that we’ve protected the envelope,” Eastman said. It is being used by SAD 17 programs and most recently as temporary housing for a Montessori school.

“We’re not trying to do it all at once,” he said.