A concept design by Lavallee Bresinger Architects shows a 20-classroom wing at Lewiston High School. Officials say the new wing is needed because classrooms are in substandard space in the basement. Voters would have to approve the $13.4 million project.
LEWISTON — The School Committee is proposing a $13.4 million wing on Lewiston High School for art, music, drama and special education classes that are now held in the basement.
The two-story wing of 20 classrooms would have an elevator and be to the right of the main entrance, which would be remade to improve security and flow.
The cost would be borne by local taxpayers because the state will not fund the expansion, Superintendent Bill Webster said.
Long term, the Lewiston School Department would like to have an auditorium in the high school. Webster explained there are three phases of planned high school improvements: 1. Add more parking spaces, which was done last summer; 2. the new classroom wing now under consideration; and 3. an auditorium, which now is a wish for the future.
A classroom wing is needed because the high school is crowded and has run out of space. “We have very high utilization of classrooms,” Webster said. “Teachers can’t do planning in their own room.” Classroom space is so tight that when teachers have a free period their room is used by another teacher and class.
And classrooms are jammed in the basement — space that was never designed for classrooms and is inadequate, Webster said. Basement classes include art, music and drama classes and special education. The space lacks ventilation and storage, is too crowded, and at times noisy because the classes are close to the kitchen and maintenance operations.
Last year Lewiston educators and art supporters were considering a performing arts center as a higher priority. Since then the overall needs of the high school have been reconsidered, Webster said, and there’s a pressing need for more classroom space.
The classroom wing is the top priority, Webster said, because the school is out of space.
The School Committee will meet Monday, March 18, to vote on whether to ask the City Council to approve borrowing the money.
The City Council will decide whether the project will go to voters, which could happen as early as November, Webster said.
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