Don’t Be Fooled, the $42 Million Agenda Item Isn’t a Real Option
Update on July 19, 2024: Since publishing this blog, the School Board held a Special Meeting to vote 6-0 against the $42 million Reiniger Bond. A summary of the meeting can be found here.
“One of my biggest challenges is that there is no project for us to consider. I am particularly concerned that it [$42M proposal] didn’t go through any process. I know that it’s very important for the board to have a lot of open and transparent processes. We do everything in the open. We’ve had SBAC; we have joint committees and joint meetings. I have no idea where this came from, and more importantly, the community hasn’t participated in it.”
On July 1, 2024, the School Board unanimously approved the $89.95 million “Middle Ground” school construction project—the product of hundreds of hours of SBAC work, expert review, stakeholder input, and considerable compromise. With Town Council approval, the Middle Ground can go to referendum and the voters of Cape Elizabeth can voice their position on this crucial project.
However, on July 8th, Town Council Chair Tim Reiniger publicly undercut the Middle Ground and the work that went into it, by throwing a $42 million curveball into the mix. His proposal is for a bond to address only “critical needs” across the three schools. It’s apparent that the Chair would rather create the illusion of a viable alternative to the Middle Ground at the 11th hour—one with a deceptively lower price tag.
Reiniger’s $42 million proposal isn’t an option. It is nothing more than a re-animated version of the SBAC’s “Option A” one of 7 initial design options prepared by Harriman, representing the lowest level of intervention. Option A was summarily dismissed on a unanimous basis by the SBAC early in the process—one of the very first to be eliminated.
Dismissing "Option A" Discussion, School Building Advisory Committee, February 15, 2024
Why was Option A dismissed so quickly?
Because it was never intended to be considered seriously as a viable option in the process. It existed to represent the absolute bare minimum; it set a baseline to demonstrate the astronomical cost of critical facility needs relative to the other design options/costs. Once dismissed, Option A received no further discussion or refinement by the SBAC, and was neither approved nor vetted by the School Board.
Anemic by design, Reiniger’s “proposal” to revisit Option A achieves much less than the SBAC’s “Option B”—which was the option the School Board could not accept because it failed to meet educational needs while producing substantial disruption for the student body (see our FAQ for more). Without a thorough vetting process, Reiniger’s $42 million proposal likely does not include the full costs required to actually carry out the work.
"It would be on the ballot as a school bond that was not approved by the school board and without a project attached to it … The legality of that is questionable, and the ability for it to pass."
— Elizabeth Scifres, School Board Chair, Portland Press Herald
The Proposed $42 Million Bond is Not a Plan
This approach fails to consider a long-term strategy for our schools. It merely delays the need for building replacement by 7-10 years. In 10 years, all three of our current school buildings will be past their industry age of obsolescence (60 years) and in need of significant repair or replacement. By replacing one building now, future projects can be staggered, reducing associated tax impacts, and allowing for a more cost effective and tactical allocation of maintenance funds.
If this $42 million referendum would be what is put forward to the town, it would be a travesty for our schools; on a long term basis.
Neglects Agreed-Upon Educational Needs
The aging infrastructure of our buildings limits the ability of schools to provide modern public education. Due to the challenges of finding available (let alone appropriate) instructional space, students requiring additional support and services often receive such support in windowless rooms or closets. Additionally, most of the classrooms in our schools are undersized according to Maine State Standards. This bond does nothing to address these shortcomings, nor does it attempt to resolve any of the other identified barriers to education.
Fails to Address Interior Safety Concerns
As a patchwork of additions and renovations, the Middle School contains a maze of hallways and hidden corners. This rabbit warren is difficult for staff to monitor—increasing opportunities for bullying, vaping, or other unsafe behavior. On an even more somber note, the current layout reflects characteristics of floor plans that inhibit ease of navigation for emergency responders during an active shooter (or other emergency) scenario.
Regrettably, these realities must be considered in modern school design. Any multimillion dollar investment in the schools should address these weaknesses.
This is a demonstrative example of how modern school architecture addresses safety and security through design. Read more here.
Squanders Taxpayer Dollars
In totally disregarding the expertise of our hired architect, this bond proposal crumples up and tosses out 18 months of work: SBAC efforts, community engagement, public education, surveys, designs, consultants—a nearly $1 million investment by our town into developing a viable, financially responsible, strategic design option for our voters’ consideration.
Furthermore, many items on the “critical priorities” list do not require an architect or large-scale contractor; this collection of projects is better suited for a school facilities team with a multi-year plan in place. It would almost certainly cost more to have professionals babysit this maintenance punch list.
Show the Town Council you are paying attention. Demand that they stop with the sleight of hand tactics, the unsubstantiated claims, and the fear mongering. Thanks to the work of the SBAC, our community is well informed about the needs, costs, and options, and we are equipped to make a financially responsible decision about the future of our schools.
We encourage you to attend the public hearing on July 29 at 7pm.
Tell the Town Council to abandon the $42M Non-Option.
Tell the Town Council to advance the Middle Ground and Let the Voters Decide!
