‘Let’s trust the process and the experts’

BY ANDY PATTEN

As a senior with neither kids nor grandchildren in the schools, I’m writing in support of a referendum to finance a new middle school in Cape.

The architect has worked through options and has made several changes to the most recent plan which will reduce the cost of the project. The last bond question brought to the voters in November 2024 lost by a mere 166 votes. Cape’s owner’s project manager, whose job it is to a provide professional opinion to safeguard the town’s assets, has said the middle school is past its useful life and the mechanical systems are not providing the required services for a building with this kind of sprawl found in the school. Plus, the security situation has also been cited as inadequate.

A new middle school resets the clock on one of our buildings, addresses the sprawling nature of the building and provides flexible learning spaces found in modern schools. It avoids the possibility of finding concealed conditions which can significantly drive up costs and create construction delays. We are in a rising cost environment.

Responsible stewardship requires us to address these building needs as soon as possible to protect our investment. The time to act is now. Let’s trust the process and the experts. Please support a June referendum question for a new middle school.