Winslow School Board approves $549,475 lighting retrofit, pauses to plan elementary roof work

The Winslow School Board on [date] voted unanimously to proceed with a districtwide lighting retrofit, approving the project as presented and earmarking MaineCare/main-care reimbursement funds to cover the expense.

Consultants presented the complete lighting economics: a gross project cost of $636,520, approximately $87,045 in incentives and a net cost of $549,475. They estimated energy savings of about $43,000 a year, which the district expects will help offset future financing costs. The board instructed staff to schedule the work to begin after school ends so contractors can complete installation before the fall term.

The lighting vote came after an extended presentation by Tom, the district's consultant with Energy Management Consultants, who summarized a broader capital‑projects assessment. Tom told the board that several pieces of district infrastructure are past typical useful life and that the team had re‑prioritized work because of an urgent finding at the elementary school roof.

On the roof, Tom said the standing‑seam metal roof is "34 years old," shows extensive rivet failures and repeated patching, and "probably" requires a full replacement. He estimated a full roof replacement at about "probably $3.5 million" (his estimate excluded interior ventilation/ventilation‑replacement costs) and warned that the leaks could be contributing to mold and structural compromise. The consultant recommended a structural‑engineering review, cutting selective openings to inspect sheathing, and preparing bid specifications for multiple options (remove-and-replace vs. roof-over) so the district can compare costs.

Tom outlined financing strategies the district will pursue, including applying to the state Revolving Renovation Fund when the application window opens in July (awards typically announced in January) and seeking other grants targeted at community facilities. He noted the renovation fund’s forgiveness/financing mix depends on the district’s free/reduced‑price lunch percentage and other scoring factors and cautioned that competition for those funds is strong.

Board members pressed the consultant on sequencing and procurement: whether to go over the existing roof or remove it, how remaining rivets could affect a new roof, and ways to ensure quality control. The consultant said the district will seek separate bids for both approaches, draft robust specifications (he said the current spec package is extensive), and provide on‑site project management to prevent construction shortcuts.

The board approved the lighting project as presented and asked staff and the consultant to continue engineering and grant‑application work on the roof, with final procurement decisions to follow further structural review and competitive bids.

Votes at a glance: • Lighting retrofit: motion to proceed as presented with use of main‑care reimbursement funds — approved unanimously. • Approval of minutes (March 23; April 9; April 13; April 22, 2026) — approved unanimously. • Roll accounts (April 2: $426,921.54; April 7: $113,600; April 16: $156,284.14) — approved unanimously. • Second readings approved (2026–27 board meeting dates; 2026–27 Wednesday school calendar; IMGA service-animals policy) — all approved unanimously. • Appointments slate — approved unanimously. • Motion to enter executive session under 1 MRSA §405(6)(A) (employment matters) — approved unanimously.

Next steps: consultants will refine engineering reports and bid specifications for the elementary roof, pursue available grant funding beginning with the July Revolving Renovation Fund application window, and return with refined cost estimates and recommended procurement strategies. The lighting retrofit is expected to begin once school is out and to be completed before the fall term.