New Saco school site 11% complete; geothermal drilling underway and bus routes being planned

The superintendent told the School Committee on Feb. 25 that construction activity at the new school site has begun in earnest: crews have started drilling geothermal wells and are encountering ledge, grading/earthwork are the primary current activities, and the project is approximately 11% complete.

"You've got about 18 to 30 people on-site every single day right now," the superintendent said, noting that most work is below-ground at this stage and that the visible progress is primarily site preparation. The superintendent added the district will meet with Eastern Trail representatives next week to discuss a potential connection to the trail and that bus-routing scenarios for the new site will be developed this spring and summer so families and operations have advance notice.

Board members raised local concerns about adjacent roadway changes and the effect on nearby businesses; the superintendent clarified the school project is separate from Route 1 roadway work overseen by the state Department of Transportation and said the district has no decision-making role in DOT project choices. The superintendent said district staff and contractors will begin routing scenario work as early as this summer and plan to use current data to model bus stops and transitions for families affected by the change.

What happens next: staff will meet with Eastern Trail representatives, continue site work (including drilling and grading), and prepare bus-route transition scenarios for board review later this year.