A parent and a committee report made facilities and access a focus of discussion at the MSAD 52 board meeting. The board heard a public comment urging review of the district’s facility‑use policy and received a report from the Plant/Transportation/Building Committee on capital priorities.

Parent Joe Burnham of Turner asked the board to reconsider the policy that requires a custodian or maintenance person to be present when outside groups use school facilities. He said the rule has created unintended consequences: custodians are already working long hours and some groups now cannot use facilities on Sundays or during school vacations, removing roughly half the season for some youth sports. Burnham asked the board to revisit the 2017 policy and consider updates to increase community access without overburdening staff.

The Plant/Transportation/Building Committee reported on a list of capital priorities, including roof and ventilation work, a possible Turner Primary School boiler replacement, and options to replace and relocate fuel tanks. Committee members said they are reviewing potential locations and that the work could be funded from revolving renovation funds or a bond; a full recommendation will be presented to the board once committee work has progressed. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for February 6.

The report also included an update that Leeds Central School is undergoing electrical upgrades (phase 3) as part of an ongoing EEI project.

Why it matters: facility‑use rules affect youth sports and community access to school fields and gyms; capital projects affect long‑term operations and safety of district buildings.

Next steps: the board said the committee will prepare a local‑board presentation of the capital priority list for a future meeting, and staff will review the facility‑use policy for possible revision.