School District Requests $3.9M for Facility Upgrades and Safety Enhancements

The Lewiston Public Schools School Committee and City Council convened on March 17, 2025, for a joint budget workshop focused on the fiscal year 2026 budget. The meeting primarily addressed facility needs and improvement projects within the school district.

The discussion began with an overview of essential infrastructure components requiring attention, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical systems, and safety features such as fire alarm and suppression systems. The urgency of these upgrades was emphasized, particularly for outdated systems in several buildings.

A handout was distributed detailing the proposed projects for fiscal year 2026, highlighting ten priority items mandated by the state. These priorities were informed by a five-year Long-Range Capital Improvement Plan (LCIP), staff input, and ongoing facility assessments. The assessments, which have been conducted for several schools, aim to identify necessary updates and improvements.

The total funding request for these projects amounts to $3.9 million. Notably, the Montello fire alarm system was mentioned, with a planned allocation of $20,000 for preliminary engineering and planning, which will be included in the operating budget. This amount does not meet the $50,000 threshold for capital projects, hence the need for future funding requests.

Additionally, the meeting included discussions on joint projects with city departments, with a significant ask of $1 million highlighted for collaborative initiatives. The committee underscored the importance of these investments in ensuring the safety and functionality of school facilities.

In conclusion, the workshop provided a structured overview of the school district's pressing needs and outlined a clear path forward for securing necessary funding to enhance educational infrastructure. The next steps will involve further collaboration between the school committee and city council to finalize budget allocations and project timelines.