MEXICO – The Region 9 School of Applied Technology board Tuesday heard a description of four possible changes to the vocational school.
Now, the board must decide on one.
Principals of the architectural firm of Smith Reuter Lull Architects of Bethel and Lewiston described improvements ranging from renovating the existing building for an estimated $1.2 million to constructing a new school that would add three new vocational programs at a cost of about $8.3 million.
Director David Driscoll wants the board to study the nearly 100-page facilities report first, then meet with representatives from the state Department of Education to discuss Region 9’s options and which would be best for students and taxpayers in the long run.
“We do need to think about new programs and how much it would cost to build an addition or a new building. We need to sit down and crunch the numbers,” he said. “It might be informative to hear what (the state) has to say.”
The six-month-long facilities study revealed a surprise to the board. The building, purchased from the Archibald family just over five years ago, is in much better shape structurally than thought.
And because of that, most board members were not ready to jump toward beginning the process to build a new school.
But the building also has major flaws that must be corrected, such as the need for additional exits from the second floor, handicapped accessibility, additional sprinklers and better ventilation. Two modular classrooms are now in use for the truck driving and diversified occupations classes.
Driscoll argued that if the region could get on the school building list, the state would pay the entire tab, including the cost of land.
Architect Noel Smith said state school grants are highly competitive. During the last round, only 15 projects made the list from a total of 90, he said.
Driscoll said his meetings with state DOE people have assured him that Region 9 would be eligible for $1.5 million with the state paying 40 percent and the region paying 60 percent, and nearly as likely to be eligible for another $1.5 million from a revolving loan fund for necessary repairs and renovations.
Even if the board decides to work toward a new school, he said some of that money would be available to take care of the most immediate needs, such as a new roof and better access and exits for some of the vocational programs, until a new school is built.
The board will give the architectural firm more direction on which concept to begin refining within the next few weeks.
The four plans are:
• $1.2 million for repairs and renovations to meet the minimum safety codes and Americans with Disabilities Act.
• A $4.3 million plan that would include repairs and renovations as well as an 18,800-square-foot addition that would provide more space for the current vocational programs.
• $6.2 million, which would add enough extra space to accommodate three new programs (currently recommended are culinary arts, automotive and plumbing/heating/ventilation).
• $8.3 million for a 54,500-square-foot new school that would include several new programs.
Smith and architect James Reuter said any of the four plans can be modified.
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