Won’t vote for Option B [renovation]
BY GINA AND LEE MITGANG
So what will we get for the Option B plan approved by a 5-4 vote of the School Building Advisory Committee? Tens of millions of dollars wasted on patchwork repairs. Years of disruption for children and teachers who’ll be forced into temporary classrooms during that work. Collaborative educational benefits that would be possible in a new middle school passed up. And the certainty that we’ll be facing many of the same festering issues in six to ten years, only with a much higher price tag.
To be clear, we share the oft-voiced concerns about the added tax burdens from any construction plan. But doesn’t the strong support for Option E in the latest voter survey mean that the SBAC’s herculean efforts to inform voters about the various options have changed enough minds among previously skeptical Capers to give the far wiser, more cost-effective Option E a fighting chance next November?
As seniors, we therefore stand with the many parents and others who say they won’t vote for option B or any proposal that just provides expensive temporary fixes for our aging schools. We call on the School Board and Town Council to reject Option B and instead put some form of Option E on the ballot in November.
In the news…
I had the privilege of co-chairing the School Building Advisory Committee. I wanted to be involved because I believe in the strength of public education, and wanted to roll up my sleeves and help address our school's needs…. [and] I am voting to support the school bond.
In 1973, we were blessed to move to Cape Elizabeth and find our first home on Cherry Circle. We raised our four children in Cape both as working parents… both of us are 80 years old and we know that we may not see the long-term investment of the school bond come to fruition.
I joined the SBAC to share my experience as an architect who has worked on 50+ school design projects.
The design process, led by our industry leading Architect and Owner's Project Manager, was meticulous and transparent.
The October 2, 2024 issue of The Cape Courier featured stories from Middle Ground supporters in the community. Did you find them all?
As a newcomer to Cape Elizabeth, I feel it’s important to share my experience with the last school bond vote. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I got duped by all the glossy mailers…
Jeffrey Shedd shares, "I voted AGAINST the last school buildings proposal. I will vote FOR the middle ground proposal.
I have been impressed with the process and communication throughout the latest planning work. Based on many visits to the middle school, I can say unequivocally: it’s a mess."
My support for the bond comes from my professional perspective, as someone who has spent 20 years in the commercial real estate industry, the last 16 spent as a developer in Portland. I thought I would share some of my insights here, because, as both a taxpayer and real estate developer, I’m impressed with the process and the resulting compromise proposal.
People from all perspectives (parents, grandparents, teachers, people with fixed incomes, and long-time Cape residents) spoke about how they had doubts during the last referendum and how their opinion on the need for a new school has evolved since then. Thanks to an inclusive and thoughtful planning process, our community can see and understand the need for a new middle school
As a former Maine Public School Educator and retired senior citizen of Cape Elizabeth, I implore all members of our voting community to urge our Town Council to put forward the Middle Ground School Building Project so we may vote in November to give our children the school facilities they so desperately require and deserve.
I am a 79 year old retiree, living in Cape Elizabeth 43 years; I wholeheartedly endorse Option E. Who are we as a community, if we abandon our children’s needs?
I think we can all agree that our children shouldn’t have to pay the price in our place. I consider myself very fortunate to live on a street and in a community where neighbors step up and take care of each other, during power outages, storms and everyday life.
The town should start saving now, in this year’s budget, for its infrastructure needs — like the schools. Also, we should establish infrastructure funds to save for our future needs, together with a sensible municipal bonding plan. Let’s put our values back in our budget.