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School committee approves planning contract for Young School auxiliary building funded by ESSER III
Summary
The Saco School Committee voted 4–0 to accept a planning contract for a four-classroom auxiliary building at Young School, part of proposed ESSER III spending that includes security, instructional coaching and equipment; DOE approval is still required.
The Saco School Committee approved a planning contract to build a four-classroom auxiliary building at Young School, a project the superintendent said would be funded through ESSER III federal dollars.
Superintendent Ray described the auxiliary building as a roughly $1.2 million construction project with removable walls so rooms can combine for community uses; he said the plan would reduce classroom crowding, help avoid portable classrooms, and could later serve Parks & Recreation or senior programs. "By building this building using federal funds, not at the local taxpayer expense," Ray said, the district would gain flexible space while longer-term construction plans proceed.
The board discussed timing and contingencies during the finance committee and at tonight’s meeting. Chair LaFortune said the decision reflected the practical needs the superintendent outlined and noted similar discussion at the finance committee. LaFortune said the auxiliary space was "a sound decision" given projected enrollment growth and recurring springtime crowding at Young School.
Superintendent Ray said the auxiliary proposal is part of the district's SR 3 application and that the project must still be approved by the Maine Department of Education before funds are released. Ray also acknowledged an allowance for contingency costs tied to construction-price fluctuations.
District materials presented to the board as part of the ESSER III planning show a proposed allocation of $1,345,000 for the Young School auxiliary (approximately $1.2 million for the building, $100,000 contingency and $45,000 for furniture). The ESSER III memo circulated to the board also lists other proposed spending categories including at least 20 percent for learning-loss interventions, a $120,000 swipe-card access system, pool-testing and nursing support, DocuSign and electronic employee files.
The motion to accept the AIA contract to begin planning was made by school board member LaFortune and seconded; the board approved the motion by a 4–0 roll-call vote. The superintendent said the district will proceed with planning steps, permitting and SR 3 submission while awaiting DOE review.
