FARMINGTON — A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday at Mt. Blue High School to officially start a $60 million construction project to integrate the school and Foster Technology Center. The work is expected to take three years.
Even during these tough economic times, voters in the nine-town Mt. Blue Regional School District approved funding the effort to unify the career technical courses at the center with the high school curriculum, Superintendent Michael Cormier said. The two schools occupy the same site on Seamon Road.
More than 90 percent of the cost of the project will be paid for by the Maine Department of Education.
Local supporters helped raise nearly $600,000 for items not included in the state supported plan, he said. Richard and Judy Bjorn and Franklin Savings Bank were donors who started the legacy project, he said.
“Community and education go hand in hand,” school board Chairman Mark Prentiss told the gathering. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the community.” Although the next three years may be inconvenient, the outcome is awesome, he added.
The goals of the integrated campus are to reduce dropout rates, raise test scores and prepare students for success in the 21st century, Glen Kapiloff, director of Foster Techology Center, said.
Many supporters of the project were thanked before everyone went outside for the groundbreaking in front of the school’s auditorium.
The Mt. Blue Fiddlers led by director Steve Muise performed before the ceremony. Mt. Blue Student Council members and class officers were invited to participate in the ceremony, Mt. Blue Principal Monique Poulin said.
Fact box
* Wright-Ryan Construction Inc. of Portland is the contractor for the project.
* A total of 89,000 square feet of Mt. Blue High School and Foster Technology Center will be renovated.
* A total of 139,000 square feet of new space will be added.
* The school would be connected to municipal water and sewer systems.
* There will be a fifth tennis court, additional bleachers in the gym, a better sound system for the auditorium, water, sewer and lights for outdoor concession stands at the playing fields, energy-efficient LED lights in the parking lots and granite curbing.
* There will be model wind turbines used for instruction in the school’s alternative energy course.
* The $600,000 raised by the Mt. Blue Legacy capital campaign will provide better equipped classrooms, labs and performing arts spaces.
* The new campus will support adult education, Franklin County Community College courses and college classes, and offer industry-specific training areas.
Supporting Sponsor for Franklin Journal, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Rangeley Highlander and Rumford Falls Times.
Keeping communities informed by supporting local news. franklinsavings.bank
Comments are no longer available on this story