Cape Elizabeth School Board Reviews SBAC Recommendation
On May 21, 2024, the School Board hosted a workshop in the Cape Elizabeth Middle School library to review the School Building Advisory Committee’s (SBAC) recommended school building project (SBAC votes 5-4 for Option B on May 9, 2024).
Given the divided recommendation, the School Board requested presentations from both the supporters of Option B (renovation and additions) and the supporters of Option E (new middle school). After the presentations, the School Board conducted a question and answer session with Harriman, the architects who created the concept options.
The Case for a New Middle School Building
Strong Community Feedback
Both indirect and direct response mechanisms displayed broad community support for building at least one new building.
The Tax Impact
SBAC conducted two town-wide surveys with Portland Research Group, one in the Summer 2023 (prior to the completion of the town-wide re-evaluation) and a second in April 2024 (after the completion of the town-wide re-evaluation). During their presentation, Option B supporters shared “there are financial limits, with a majority of respondents supporting a tax increase in the range of 5-10%.”
As of the April 2024 survey, 40% of respondents indicate they support a tax increase of more than 10%, including a 6% increase in respondents who chose “what ever is needed”. Combined, 60% of respondents support a tax increase in the 5-10% range.
Q&A with the Architects
After the presentations from the SBAC community members, the School Board had the opportunity to hear from the architects on the particulars of Option B, the option recommended by the SBAC vote. The full list of questions from the School Board is available here, with responses from Harriman located in this presentation.
Option B’s ability to meet Key Priorities identified from Dr. Record’s Educational Program Report for the Middle School and Pond Cove Elementary School and the Prioritized Design Patterns established by stakeholders at the beginning of the project.
Option B does not address long corridors, doesn’t improve internal supervision, and will shorten the distance to the cafeteria for some (for example, 4th graders) but lengthen it for others (Kindergarteners, who would be required to traverse up stairs).
Option B will not change the undersized classrooms. In fact, for all of its disruption of putting students in trailers for two years, teachers will return to the building with hardly any changes to their educational spaces.
With few land options available that are also close to amenities, Option B would require portables for upwards of two years. CEMS and PC principals expressed concerns about the location and equity in educational access when students who require special services would be required to travel back and forth from portables to the main building throughout the day.
Option B, at an estimated investment of $77.3M – $85.5M, shows an estimated system life of 10-15 years. It will require a significant major renovation or replacement investment by year 20. The Long-Term Planning Diagrams above are not included in this bond but are concepts of reusing pieces of this renovation at the point of future investment.
Compromise: The Path Forward
After their review of the above information, the School Board ultimately rejected both Option B (lack of emphasis on educational improvements and significant disruption to students and faculty) and Option E (concerned about the $115 million price). Instead, the School Board instructed the superintendent to work with the architects and the facilities manager to create a concept that prioritizes the following, learned through SBAC’s research:
Builds a new middle school. Evaluate the list of recently completed or in-progress capital improvement projects, short-term vs. long-term needs, grant funding, and more to narrow the scope of the bond.
Commits to a responsible, supported tax increase. “We’ve heard from SBAC that in and around 10% feels palatable,” said Elizabeth Scrifes, School Board Chair.
Prioritizes educational needs and minimizes disruption. Addresses small classrooms, increase teaching flexibility, improve wayfinding to reduce bullying and increase safety, and avoid prolonged disruption to students and staff.
Produces a lasting, long-term solution. Avoid the no-win scenario of major repairs and replacement of all three school buildings at the same time 10-15 years from now.
Addresses emergency repairs for all three schools. Replace critical mechanical systems and address deferred maintenance arising from aging infrastructure and chronic CIP underfunding.
The architects are currently drafting a compromise concept that incorporates the School Board’s feedback and direction. Their next update will be presented to the School Board during their regular meeting on June 11, 2024.
Appendix: Presentation in Support of Option B
A Strategic and Sustainable Long-Term Foundation for Cape Elizabeth Schools, as presented by Michael Hussey on May 21, 2024. Please Note: Slides 23-24 of this presentation (titled “Masterplan for Option B”) contain a work product that was not produced by SBAC. This work has not been reviewed or validated by the architects, the Town Manager, or the Town’s Bond Counsel.
The five SBAC members who supported Option B include:
Michael Hussey
Larry Benoit
David Andrews
Penny Jordan, Town Councilor, SBAC Co-Chair
Tim Thompson, Town Councilor
Appendix: Presentation in Support of Option E
Rationale for Supporting a New Middle School, as presented by SBAC member Corinne Bell on May 21, 2024
The four members who supported Option E include:
Corinne Bell, Professional Architect with experience in K-12 Schools
Patrick Cotter, Fire Marshall for the City of Sanford, NFPAC Fire Inspector II, NFPAC Plans Examiner
Cynthia Voltz, School Board Member, SBAC Co-Chair
Caitlin Sweet, School Board Member
