RSU 10 board ratifies December lease start for Mexico building, approves lease with utilities after debate over safety and costs

The Regional School Unit 10 school board voted to change the start date on its lease for the Town of Mexico property to Dec. 1, 2024, and later approved a lease for use of the former Mexico Police Department building as a temporary school site, after several hours of public comment and debate about building safety, utilities and the timing for placing students in the space.

Board members said they approved the calendar correction to the lease so the district could proceed with occupancy work; the board later voted to approve the full lease terms that set rent at $5,000 per month with the district responsible for utilities beyond that amount and a $100 monthly landlord contribution toward a food‑pantry electrical cost. The motion that passed included a stipulation that the lease be signed in the meeting room before the board adjourned.

Why it matters: The lease decision governs where RSU 10 will house relocated 6th‑grade students while the district completes Mountain Valley Community School construction. Parents and community members urged caution and pressed the board for clear assurances on fire‑marshal approval, air quality and completion of repairs before students enter the building.

Board and public concerns came during the meeting’s public comment and later agenda discussion. Mexico select board representative Randy Canwell told the board: “We will not be allowing any kids in the building until the fire marshal approves it. We will not be signing a lease on that building until we all come to an agreement because things have changed.” Parent Amanda Hamner criticized the temporary facility and the district’s handling of special‑education spaces: “They are failing. They cannot read. They cannot write.”

Board members described a stepped process. Board member Peter (surname on the record as Pacino) said changing the date legitimized ongoing work: “If we don't change it, we legally can't go in and make any of the changes that we've done without having a lease for them.” Board member Allison voiced concern about public notice for motions that go beyond the posted agenda and urged expediency to avoid further delays to student access to in‑person learning.

Discussion also covered a new request from the town to shift utility responsibility. Board members said the lease presented at the meeting returned to the district the responsibility for utility costs; the board’s final approved motion required RSU 10 to pay utilities and included the $100 monthly landlord credit for the food pantry electrical service. Board members debated whether the town’s select board had authority to impose additional terms and whether the board needed a special meeting to consider new financial demands.

The board recorded multiple procedural votes during the evening. Members debated whether to move into executive session to discuss lease negotiations and took steps to suspend standard procedural rules to continue discussion; ultimately the board voted to approve the lease amendment (date change) and later to approve the lease that includes the utilities arrangement and the $100 contribution. The meeting record shows the motion to approve the final lease carried, with three abstentions recorded (one board member said she would withhold her vote).

Next steps: Board members and district staff said they would seek final sign‑offs required for occupancy, including any remaining items required by the state fire marshal before students may occupy the building. Several board members emphasized they would not place students in the site until the district had required approvals and acceptable remediation in place.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): • Motion to revise lease start date to Dec. 1, 2024 — motion carried (amendment approved at meeting). • Motion to approve lease with Town of Mexico for use of the premises at $5,000/month with district responsible for utilities and $100 monthly landlord contribution for the food pantry — motion carried; three members abstained (names not fully recorded in minutes). The meeting minutes include an instruction that the finalized lease language be signed before adjournment.

Ending: Board members said they intend to continue coordination with the Town of Mexico, contractors and the state fire marshal to complete outstanding work and secure required occupancy approvals before students move in. The board asked staff to return any further proposed contract changes for public notice and board consideration.